At Relationships Australia WA, we stand with Centrecare's Valuing Children Initiative and its vision, and fully support efforts to end child poverty. As part of our broader commitment to child safety, we are dedicated to creating environments where children are protected, heard, and valued. Our pledge is a reflection of our commitment to building safer spaces, guided by the belief that every child deserves a future free from harm, poverty, and disadvantage.
Every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy, safe, and filled with opportunity. Unfortunately, for one in six children in Australia, this is far from reality.
Right now, more than half a million children in our country live below the poverty line. They face daily challenges that most of us can barely imagine—uncertainties around where their next meal will come from, whether they can access essential healthcare, or even if they will be able to continue their education.
The impacts of child poverty are vast and long-lasting. Children living in poverty are often more likely to experience chronic stress, mental health challenges, and limited access to educational resources. This not only affects their immediate well-being but can have a lasting effect on their future opportunities, their employment prospects, and their ability to escape the cycle of poverty.
This lack of access steals opportunities and casts shadows over their futures—futures that we, as a society, have the power to change.
At the heart of this change is the need for systemic reform. But it is not something that can be achieved by one sector alone. It is up to all of us—government, businesses, community organisations, and individuals—to come together and advocate for those who are unable to do so themselves.
When we talk about ending child poverty, we are not just addressing a single issue; we are talking about the kind of future we want for all children. A future where every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to quality education, a healthy start in life, and the opportunity to reach their full potential. A future where no child has to bear the burden of poverty.
Join us by signing the pledge and be part of the movement for change. Together, we can make a difference.