Almost 50 years to the day (29 August, 1972) after the historic Henderson Commission of Inquiry into poverty, and after years of inaction by successive governments, the Greens have today established a Senate Committee inquiry into the nature and extent of poverty and cost of living pressures in Australia.

The Australian Greens said today that the growing levels of hunger in Western Australian were a stark reminder of the need for State and Federal Governments to work together to address the underlying causes of poverty and inequality.

"Foodbank's annual report shows that there has been an increase in demand for food relief in the past year, and that on average more than 8,800 people, half of them children, are being turned away each month. " Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on family and community services said today.

The Australian Greens will move for a Senate Inquiry into Inequality in Australia, as the Government faces growing criticism about the impacts of the budget.

"Despite the Treasurer's claims, the Federal Budget is an attack on Australia's social contract that will increase inequality and deliver cuts to people who are already living in poverty," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on family and community services said today.

The Australian Greens say Tony Abbott's budget has been written for big business and will further divide Australia between the haves and have-nots, especially for sick, young and vulnerable people.

"This is a divisive and brutal budget written in the boardrooms of big business," Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

"Tony Abbott's rhetoric about sharing the burden is a lie. Big business has been quarantined. Young people, the sick and vulnerable take the biggest hit.

If budgets reveal the true character of a government, as Prime Minister Abbott told an audience last night in Sydney, the Greens say Australians are about to find out how cruel the Abbott government really is.

"A budget is one of the most values-laden documents to hit the parliament each year, and the Abbott government's first budget is going to ask those who need our support to give up what little they have, so that the wealthiest in the country can continue to pollute and maximise their profits," said Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne.

The Senate Inquiry into the Abbott government's Commission of Audit has today tabled a new interim report, which covers evidence presented on the effects of predicted budget cuts in the areas of health, social services and employment.

"The evidence received by the Committee directly contradicts the Government's line on the economy," said Senator Richard Di Natale, chair of the Senate Select Committee conducting the inquiry.

Australians will sleep less easily tonight after Treasurer Joe Hockey's speech on the Commission of Audit.

Greens Acting Leader Adam Bandt says Australians can look forward to a more insecure future after the May 13 Budget, courtesy of Tony Abbott.

"Make no mistake, the Australian way of life is under threat like never before," Mr Bandt.

"This is a callous shopping list of cuts to some of the country's most vulnerable people. They will deliver for the Abbott government's mates at the expense of everyday Australians.

To mark Anti-Poverty Week, the Australian Greens have released a survey that shows the increased demands being placed on WA's community services.

The survey, undertaken by Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on families and community services, reflects the views of 31 community service providers from metropolitan and regional areas.

"Overwhelmingly, our survey has found that demand for assistance is growing, particularly for the basics, such as food, housing and household expenses," Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

There are 2.3 million people living below the poverty line in Australia. Nearly 600,000 of them are children.

The Greens are the only party talking about this, and who are willing stand up for vulnerable families by committing to a long term plan to address the underlying causes of poverty.