BRIMBANK Council is working hard to raise awareness of the social and economic hardships facing many residents.
As part of Anti-Poverty Week, the council last week held a number of events aimed at heightening the consciousness of the community.
Ranked the second-most disadvantaged municipality in Melbourne and the third-most in Victoria, administrator Jo Anderson last week spoke at a morning tea in St Albans about the importance of the council upholding human rights and advocating on behalf of the community on social justice matters.
“Brimbank City Council is one of just two Victorian municipalities with a Social Justice Charter that includes commitments to the principles of access, equity, community participation and human rights,” Ms Anderson said.
“Brimbank’s Social Justice Charter also recognises that human rights are universal.”
Ms Anderson said 20 per cent of the population received social security payments and more than 40 per cent receive either a health care card or pension card.
As part of its commitment, each year council prepares an annual report to the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission on its progress on implementing the charter.
Other anti-poverty events held last week included a perishable food drive for the Tin Shed in St Albans, UnityLink’s Youth Art competition and the FUNtasia Children’s Festival.
