A growing inequality between rich and poor over the past decade looks set to get even worse, new modelling shows.
Anglicare Australia boss Kasy Chambers says the analysis by the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling suggests Prime Minister Tony Abbott has failed to live up to a 2013 election promise that his government would "not leave anyone behind".
A combination of economic change and government policies over the past 10 years has left the poorest households further behind.
Since 2004, households in the top 20 per cent of income earners have enjoyed 28.4 per cent growth in living standards, while for the bottom 20 per cent the growth was only 15.1 per cent.
For the next 10 years, living standards in the top group are expected to grow by a further 5.9 per cent, while for the poorest group they will decline by 4.5 per cent.
Ms Chambers believes Australia has reached a watershed.
"We can continue to walk away from many of the most vulnerable and the most disadvantaged among us ... or we can commit now to ensuring our economy and our society gives everyone a fair go," she said in a statement on Tuesday.
LIVING STANDARD GROWTH 2004-2014 ACROSS THE INCOME RANGE, AND PROJECTIONS FOR 2014-2024
Quintile 1 (poorest)
2004-2014 - 15.1 per cent
2014-2024 - -4.5
Quintile 2
2004-2014 - 20.9
2014-2024 - -1.3
Quintile 3
2004-2014 - 21.6
2014-2024 - 0.2
Quintile 4
2004-2014 - 24.6
2014-2024 - 2.6
Quintile 5 (richest)
2004-2014 - 28.4
2014-2024 - 5.9
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