Ms Macklin’s visit comes in response to a series of reports in the Bendigo media, including the Advertiser, highlighting the struggles of the community’s hidden poor.

Her October 13 visit will coincide with national Anti-Poverty Week.

She will be accompanied by Bendigo’s Labor MP Lisa Chesters.

Ms Macklin will attend a pensioners and seniors morning tea at Woodend Community House from 9.30pm, before a stopover at Kyneton Caring Community from 11am.

The MPs will attend a seniors and pensioners lunch at Eaglehawk Community House from 12.30pm, ahead of a tour and meeting with members of Bendigo Foodshare at 2pm.

Ms Chesters said it was hoped Anti-Poverty Week opened the conversation on the impact of poverty in Bendigo.

She pointed to recent local media reports which showed about 30 per cent of local households earn less than $600 a week, well below the poverty line.

"Poverty is not an individual problem it's a society problem,” Ms Chesters said.

“When people are forced to live day to day, worried about the basics, they cannot fully participate in society.

"There needs to be a conversation on how to tackle complex challenges like the rise of hidden poverty in our community."

For more on Anti-Poverty Week visit www.antipovertyweek.org.au/