Includes index. Bibliography: p. 43.Chapter 1: The extent of poverty in Australia: Poverty - facts, figures and suggestions for the future; Who are the poor in Australia?; The poverty challenge; Persistence of poverty despite a decade of growth; Financial disadvantage in Australia 1990 to 2000; New research: more Australians living in poverty; Charity 'fudged' poverty rate; For richer or poorer, we're still a lucky country; The danger in exaggerating our poverty; Whichever way it is measured, poverty is unacceptable; Poor getting richer, says Vanstone; Make rewards worth the effort; Empower communities to change the neighbourhood; Research highlights a nation growing apart. -- Chapter 2: Unemployment and the Working Poor: Unemployment in Australia; Unemployment and poverty - facts, figures and suggestions for the future; Income support and poverty - facts, figures and suggestions for the future; The welfare revolution; Hard hearts keep the jobless in poverty; A helping hand for those we left behind; Vinnies asks: why are the poor being treated like criminals?; Working poor numbers grow; No food, no holidays, and op shop clothes for 'working poor': ACTU; Growing underclass demands a fairer Australia; Jobless on the sidelines.o shame in put This book examines the extent of poverty in Australia, and the debate over how poverty should be measured and alleviated. Who are the Australians most affected by poverty, and what is the role of charities and governments in providing income support to the disadvantaged? Who are the 'working poor', and how can welfare reforms reduce unemployment rates? Are the long-term unemployed becoming a growing underclass in our society?