Australia’s children are increasingly worried about what lies ahead, according to a groundbreaking report highlighting their concerns about housing and the rising cost of living.

The combination of these growing anxieties and a notable decrease in engagement with schools and communities has led to calls for enhanced support systems.

Financed in part by billionaire Nicola Forrest, the inaugural State of Australia’s Children report underscores the deep-seated worries young Australians have about their future.

O’Neil emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are in the midst of a housing crisis that has been building for generations, and the most crucial action the Commonwealth government can take is to construct more homes for Australians.”

Kate Colvin, the CEO of Homelessness Australia, noted that providing more housing could lead to significant improvements, saying it would make “an enormous difference for every one of those homes.”

She added, “There is still much work to be done to address and resolve the homelessness crisis.”

Right now homes are being held up by the environmental approvals process and changing those laws is the big fight as MPs return to parliament this week for the final time this year.

“That act is standing in the path of tens of thousands of homes being approved and constructed around our country,” O’Neil said.