Ending Poverty in Australia (Antipoverty Commission) 2023

# Ending Poverty in Australia (Antipoverty Commission) Bill 2023 **What it does** This bill would create a new independent government body called the Antipoverty Commission to investigate poverty in Australia and recommend ways to fix it. The Commission would review welfare payments, research poverty issues, and publish reports with suggestions for government action. **Why it matters** Australia has no dedicated agency focused solely on ending poverty, so this would be the first official body with that specific job. It could lead to real changes in how welfare works and how government tackles homelessness and financial hardship. **Key details** - The Commission would conduct formal reviews of social security payments and poverty-related policies, with findings published publicly - Government would be legally required to respond to the Commission's recommendations (though not necessarily adopt them) - A separate Parliamentary Joint Committee on Combatting Poverty would oversee the Commission's work, giving both major parties a say in its direction - The bill applies across Australia and its external territories