Australian authorities urged to prevent social inequality

Australian welfare groups are demanding authorities strengthen Australia's social safety net to prevent widening inequality, local media reported Monday.

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) found that Australia's level of income inequality is above the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average.

"While inequality is not extreme in Australia by international comparison, we are trending in the wrong direction," ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie said.

Australia's minimum wage and tax systems means inequality is not as pronounced as in the United States or Britain.

According to the report, Australians in the top 20 percent of income earners have 70 times as much wealth as those in the bottom 20 percent.

Australia also has a rural and urban rich-poor divide, with Australian metropolitan residents wealthier compared to those living in the country.

Perth, Sydney and Brisbane had more residents in the top 20 percent of income earners and less in the lowest 20 percent compared with other cities. Endi