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Mallee Family Care calls for children and families to be top 2025-26 Budget priorities

February 5, 2025 6:40 am in by

Mallee Family Care (MFC) has called on the Federal Government to place children and families at the heart of its 2025-26 Budget.

In its Pre-Budget Submission, MFC highlights the stark disparities in developmental, health, social and educational outcomes faced by children across Australia, particularly those living in poverty, rural and regional areas or experiencing intersecting disadvantages.

“Nearly 20% of Australian children are living in poverty and the long-term consequences of this are devastating—not only for these children and their families but for the entire nation,” said Teresa Jayet, CEO, Mallee Family Care.

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The local organisation recommends a number of cost-effective strategies to support children and families experiencing disadvantage, including:

• Raising social security payments above the Henderson Poverty Line to help people meet current cost-of-living pressures

• Expanding services for families in crisis, including additional support for mental health care, foster care and early intervention programs.

• Reforming tax policies and adopting a Housing-First approach to deliver stable, affordable housing for vulnerable families.

• Supporting place-based community organisations to take a comprehensive approach to addressing disadvantage.

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A full copy of Mallee Family Care’s 2025-26 Federal Budget Pre-Submission is available at malleefamilycare.org.au

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