Tasmanian children are going without as low-income families are forced to choose between buying food or putting petrol in the car, a peak community body says.
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TasCOSS chief executive Kym Goodes said cost of living expenses have risen exponentially including the costs of living expenses for raising a child.
New research by the Australian Institute of Family studies found that it costs between $140 and $170 a week to raise one child in a low income or unemployed family.
The researchers found the biggest cost to families was housing with an unemployed couple with two children spending one-third of their income on housing.
Ms Goodes said while food, housing, education and transport costs had all risen, there had been little or no movement in wages or Centrelink payments such as Newstart and Parenting Payment.
“The current rate of Newstart does not cover the cost of basic essentials,” Ms Goodes said.
“We know that children are going without when parents have to choose between buying food and putting petrol in the car. The consequence for the child is that they eat breakfast but can't get to school or they go to school hungry.
“The cost of living pressures that families are feeling now can have knock on effects for children for years in the future.
“Raising the rate of Newstart and Parenting Payment, ensuring there are stable and meaningful employment options available and providing well-funded services to support families thrive are all part of what is required to help improve the lives of thousands of Tasmanians.”
The Smith Family Tasmanian general manager Lesley Mackay said it was estimated that it costs more than $2000 a year for a low income family to educate a child in primary school in Tasmania.
“Higher levels of household stress make it more difficult to focus on education and ensuring that children are attending school,” Ms Mackay said.
“We hear stories of children hiding excursion notes from their parents or saying they don’t want to attend school camp because they know the costs associated with these activities would cause their parents stress and guilt.
“We know of children not fitting in at school because they don’t have something as simple as a school bag or a complete uniform.
“They fall behind in their education because they are caring for, and worrying about, a sick parent and for some, it can set up a pattern of under-achievement that can last the rest of their lives.”
The Smith Family currently provides scholarships to help educate nearly 1000 Tasmanian students.
In 2016-17, 6137 people accessed their programs.