PRIME MINISTER
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE RT. HON.
WILLIAM McMAHON, CH. mp, JN THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, CANB3ERRA
ENQUIRY INTO POVERTY
29 AUGUST 1972
I am pleased to announce that Professor R. F. Henderson,
Director of the Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research
3 in the University of Melbourne, has undertaken to conduct the
Enquiry into Poverty on behalf of the Government.
The terms of reference of the Enquiry are as
follows: To investigate-The extent of poverty in Australia, including
changes in its level;
The incidence of poverty in Australia upon
special c~ tegories of persons or localities;
Factors which cause poverty in Australia;
The ways in which Commonwealth and State
Governments, Local Government bodies and
other bodies apd persons currently assist
the alleviation of poverty in Australia;
the extent and effpctiveness of existing
measures and services; and differenqes between
and within States in the efforts of State
Government, Local Government bodies and other
bodies and Persons to alleviate aspects of
poverty in Australia;
Any diesirable changes that would contribute to
the reduction of poverty in Australia; and
Any associated matters relevant to the general
objects of the Enquiry.
The Government will ensure that Professor Henderson
has the necessary supporting staff and that relevant Commonwealth
Departments provide him with assistance where practicable. ./ 2
Prolfessor IRenderson will himself determine the
method of Enquiry to bo adopted, and the time necessary for
the work to be finalised.
Professor Henderson is well known for his work on
poverty. Honourable Members w-, ill be aware that he and the
Institute of which he is Director were responsible for " People
in Poverty: A Melbourne Survey which has been of great use
to all those interested in the dimensions and quality of the
problem of poverty in our land. The Government is, I think,
fortunate to have obtained his services for this Enquiry.
It will be seen that the terms of reference for the
Enquiry are very wide, having been drawn so as to enable the
Enquiry to be as far-reaching as possible in its field, whilst
concentrating on the solution of the immediate problem of
reducing poverty in Australia.
I feel confident that the decisions which I have
just announced wi11 commend themselves to both sides of the
House.