ACT poverty, #HereForSA, and the case for a permanent, adequate JobSeeker rate

All the latest news from the Councils of Social Service of Australia.

ACOSS

ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie made the case for a permanent, adequate JobSeeker rate at the National Press Club of Australia, joined by Australian Retailers Association CEO Paul Zahra and Deloitte Access Economics partner Chris Richardson. 

In her speech, Goldie said that while there were many things out of our control in the pandemic, ensuring everyone had enough to cover the basics was not. She said there was broad support for a permanent increase to JobSeeker from the Business Council of Australia to the Australian Council of Trade Unions and from multiple former prime ministers. The address will be available to watch here: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/national-press-club-address

ACTCOSS

ACT poverty took centre stage in the ACTCOSS 2020 ACT Election Leaders Forum, which has now been watched by over 13,000 viewers via our website and The RiotACT. Read the media release or watch the debate online. 

ACTCOSS has also released more election briefs on A Just Canberra, Planning and Infrastructure to Build Community and Better Health.

WACOSS

WACOSS Community Sector Recovery webinars have been extended. Input and engagement is invited on digital inclusion, the impact of COVID-19 families in hardship, and lessons learnt through the pandemic. Register for the free webinars on Wednesdays at 1pm, and have your say on what recovery looks like for Western Australia, so that we leave no one behind.

QCOSS

In her latest video update, QCOSS CEO Aimee McVeigh talks about the need for smart stimulus in social housing – including our energy efficiency proposal, and our partnership with the Property Council pushing for 53,000 new social and affordable homes.

NCOSS

NCOSS has updated its Pre-Budget Submission 2020-21: Rebuilding NSW Together. It says it’s seeing the economic downturn impact less affluent areas and particular cohorts more significantly. A strong social services system can mitigate rising inequality, contributing to both social and economic well-being; and that the partnership approach in evidence between government and the sector is key to a strong recovery.

VCOSS

VCOSS and ABC Melbourne have joined forces to deliver critical public health and legal information into those communities still battling COVID-19. Hosted by Raf Epstein, the first in our three-part Facebook Live series focused on Working through COVID.  Future editions will cover renting and community wellbeing.

SACOSS 

SACOSS developed #HereForSA Campaign at www.sacoss.org.au/hereforSA highlighting the essential work of 37,000 employees and 54,000 people volunteering in SA. This long-term, joint campaign currently has 20-plus partners. We’ve developed digital assets encouraging the sharing stories of employees and volunteers at #HereForSA. Join us as a campaign partner! Email Tania@sacoss.org.au

NTCOSS 

NTCOSS seeks funding and delivery of Stage 1 and 2 of the Aboriginal Justice Agreement, including establishing an alternate custody model and reintroducing community courts. Aboriginal Territorians are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, as offenders and victims. We’ve failed our First Nations people, perpetuating their disadvantage. 

TasCOSS

TasCOSS has a Change Your Impact Program on September 10, 2020. This new program for those working in community services equips you with the skills and confidence to emerge as a workplace leader. As part of the industry you have the opportunity to become an effective advocate.

This article was contributed by ACOSS Community Hub.