We're at a watershed on poverty: Anglicare

Charity group Anglicare is calling for a national conversation as new research shows seven out of ten people on welfare are under the poverty line.

Anglicare says Australia is at a watershed moment in its history over the way it treats the poor. (AAP)

Australia is at a watershed moment in its history over the way it treats the poor, charity group Anglicare says.

New research conducted by the group's Sydney diocese shows nearly seven out of 10 people on welfare are living on or below the poverty line.

"We can continue the way we are going and we'll end up with a society that is less and less equal... or we can look to this and have a national conversation," Anglicare CEO Kasey Chambers told reporters in Canberra at the start of anti-poverty week.