"There are so many people out there, indigenous and non-indigenous, who can't read the dosage on a panadol bottle - that's dangerous," says adult literacy campaigner and Literacy for Life Foundation spokesperson Jack Beetson.
"This is a big issue that we need to address as a community."
Mr Beetson was responding to the announcement of a national inquiry into adult literacy and its importance.
The House Standing Committee on Employment Education and Training launched the inquiry on 3 February and is calling for community submissions by Friday 5 March.
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