The Federal Member for Grayndler, Anthony Albanese has welcomed a Labor initiated Senate Inquiry into Poverty and Financial hardship and encouraged individuals and groups living in Grayndler to contribute.

"Around 2.4 million Australians live below the poverty line and struggle to make ends meet on incomes less than half the national average, " Mr Albanese said.

"This is an increase of almost 300,000 from 1996 when the Howard Government first came to office. The number of children growing up in poor families has also increased by 20%.

"Disturbingly, almost one million Australians are still poor despite belonging to a family where at least one person has some form of employment.

"Labor is determined to shine a light on growing inequality and financial hardship. That's why Labor has proposed a Senate Inquiry into poverty and financial hardship and is encouraging ordinary Australians and Community Groups to contribute.

"We need to find ways of lifting people living in poverty out of it and bolstering the security of those who work but who are still going backwards."