Talking about poverty: How to have conversations online, in the community and in the media

** 7:30pm AEDT – 7pm ACDT – 6:30pm AEST – 4:30pm AWST ** 

The Anti-Poverty Network Queensland, Anti-Poverty Network South Australia, Antipoverty Centre, Australian Unemployed Workers' Union and Community Union Defence League are organising the People Against Poverty Summit at the Griffith University Southbank Campus in Magan-djin Brisbane, to take place in mid-2025. We know not everyone will be able to make it to join us in person, so we're running some sessions online so that everyone can participate. We are kicking off with a panel discussion on talking about poverty to help prepare for conversations happening ahead of the federal budget and election.

Rick Morton will be joining the panel to share issues and insights on how the media covers welfare, alongside members of the Antipoverty Centre and Anti-Poverty Network Queensland. We will hear perspectives from welfare recipients who are changing the way people perceive poverty through their advocacy, as well as people who work in the media and have observed changes in public attitudes to the issues that affect us. We also want to hear from you about your experiences and answer questions about tricky conversations you have had. 

We encourage everyone who is interested in reducing poverty and inequality to join us, including people on low incomes, unionists, community sector workers and all who support us. This event is free for all to attend.  

We will arrange an ASL or other language interpreter on request. Email team@antipovertycentre.org with the subject line: Interpreter booking for online event. You will be able to send other accessibility requests on the event registration page.

nb: Humanitix will request your full name, however we do not need this information. Enter whatever you are comfortable with when asked for your name.

AGENDA 

• 7:30: Acknowledgement of Country and introduction to the People Against Poverty Summit from Caspian Bahramshahi-Willett 
• 7:40 Opening remarks from Maiy Azize 
• 7:45 Reflections from panellists
  • How people in poverty are dehumanised by language choices and portrayals used by professional advocates – Kristin
  • How the way the media works as well as the tropes it uses causes harm, and how to unlearn those habits – Rick
  • How people in poverty build community and communicate online, to each other, our allies and our detractors – Fiona
• 8:00 Panel discussion 
• 8:20 Questions for the panel from attendees 
• 8:30 Formal part of the event concludes
• 8:35 Opportunity for discussion for event attendees 
• 8:55 Informal portion of event concludes 

ABOUT US

The Antipoverty Centre exists to counter problems with academics, think tanks, charities, bureaucrats and others in the political class making harmful decisions on behalf of people they purport to represent. We are a collective of activists, advocates and researchers with direct, contemporary experience of poverty and unemployment. We have deep expertise in poverty because we live it. Our goal is to help ensure the voices and rights of people on the lowest incomes are at the centre of social policy development and discourse.