Anti-Poverty Week, Paying to Work, and the Cost of Living in the NT

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

ACOSS 

ACOSS kicked off Anti-Poverty Week with its Post-Budget Webinar on Monday. MC Patricia Karvelas, presenter ABC RN Drive and ABC TV News Afternoon Briefing, facilitated a discussion with Rebecca Cassells, head of research impact and engagement at Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre; Damian Griffis, CEO of First Peoples Disability Network; Cat Nadel, co-founder and co-director of Tomorrow Movement and ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie. Dr Goldie re-iterated the call for a permanent adequate increase to the JobSeeker rate, which was not addressed in the government’s budget or the Opposition Leader’s budget reply. 

Find out more about the many activities and report launches in Anti-Poverty Week from 11 to 17 October. This year’s focus is on affordable housing for all as the best solution to reducing poverty, partnering with the Everybody’s Home campaign, as well as continued support for the Raise the Rate campaign led by ACOSS to ensure that everyone has enough to cover the basics. 

NTCOSS 

NTCOSS released its 29th Cost of Living Report. The Northern Territory has seen significant improvements in cost of living pressures, along with free child care and free public transport for several months during the pandemic. The NT has also seen a decrease in rent and fuel prices, but the effects are not felt equally. Long-term policy reform is needed to improve cost of living pressures in the NT, for households doing it tough. 

SACOSS

SACOSS’ Paying to Work study found 70 per cent of waged poor workers surveyed used their own phone or internet services for work – often without reimbursement. Read more on the SACOSS blog. To learn more about Waged Poverty, register to attend the Working To Make Ends Meet: Energy, Water and Telco virtual conference (24 November).

TasCOSS

The Change Your Impact 2020 program concluded last week. Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, a fantastic, hybrid program was delivered which challenged thinking and promoted strategic advocacy. TasCOSS is already looking ahead to next year. If you’re looking to get involved as a mentor or participant, you can register your interest for the 2021 program online.  

NCOSS

NCOSS will be releasing new work with NATSEM on patient experience of health services in NSW. The report highlights the disparities in how people access and experience GPs, specialists and dental services across NSW and will be launched shortly. Watch for updates on our social media channels: Twitter: @_NCOSS_  Facebook: @NSWCouncilofSocialService LinkedIn: @NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS).

WACOSS

In an update this week, the WACOSS Conference is going ahead in February 2021, with the revised theme Finding Ground: Building a better way back together. The Community Services Excellence Awards nominations are now open until 5pm on Friday 13 November 2020.

ACTCOSS 

ACTCOSS, ACT Shelter and the Community Housing Industry Association ACT (CHIA ACT) have responded to the housing announcements of the three major parties contesting the 2020 ACT election. Shelter is fundamental to public wellbeing and Canberrans understand that rental affordability, insecure tenancies and homelessness are affecting too many people in our community.

QCOSS

With so many consumers feeling the financial pinch due to the COVID-19 economic crisis, the need to get the best value when buying groceries has never been so great. Unit pricing can help you budget, compare, and ultimately save money. Read QCOSS’s blog here. 

VCOSS

VCOSS is pleased that the Victorian government has announced the COVID-19 hardship support payment will double, from $400 to $800, for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. This applies to people living in Victoria with limited income or savings, who are on temporary or provisional visas, or are undocumented migrants – our friends, our neighbours who may not be “from” here but are proud to call Victoria their home.

This article was contributed by ACOSS Community Hub.