We hear empty promises all the time – from our cultural, political and business leaders. They pass over the airwaves, across the internet and through our minds. In many instances, we filter them out – discard them as spin doctoring or static in an already-too-noisy world. Often these claims are backed up by statistics or a number – $10 billion worth of investment, 65% of respondents – but by the time we reach the “proof point”, the objective has already been lost.
Remember former Prime Minister Bob Hawke famously promised by 1990, “no Australian child will be living in poverty”?
But 1990 came and went. And a new campaign from The Smith Family explains that we are perhaps, farther away from this noble goal than ever. In fact, one in ten Australian children – 638,000 kids – live with financial disadvantage.
What does financial disadvantage look like?
Take a few minutes to watch the video from The Smith Family. It does a great job of capturing the sense of disadvantage and the powerlessness that comes with it.
What you can do to change this
But the video also provides some suggestions for action … for achievable change that you can support:
- Dig a little deeper and encourage others to learn more about the impact of disadvantage and what you can do about it
- Buy the soundtrack from the video
- Donate time, money or volunteer for The Smith Family
Prove me wrong and change a life.
