Our Children — New Political Agendas

In my first decade with the Brotherhood in the 60's, the poverty of older people was a central concern. The Henderson Poverty Inquiry's recommendation that the age pension be indexed has led to significant improvements and protection for retired people. But during the 1970's and 80's families with children became the group most vulnerable to poverty. I will refer to government action on child poverty later, but for our part, concern about large numbers of children growing up in poverty has prompted the Brotherhood of St. Laurence and Councils of Social Service to run a national awareness and action campaign: Promise the Children.