Digital inclusion, a one-stop-shop for NT support services and Tasmania heads to the polls

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

ACOSS

ACOSS is concerned that 3 million people, including a million children, will plunge further into poverty as the coronavirus supplement ends. People who will be $50 a week worse off include: 1.2 million people on JobSeeker; 343,000 single parents, mostly women; 330,000 people on Youth Allowance; and 80,000 on AusStudy, AbStudy, Widow Allowance, and other income support. 

The end of JobKeeper will see up to 250,000 people join the unemployment queue – with many having their weekly income drop from $500 a week to just $314 per week or $44 day (including the Energy Supplement).

ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie said: “It is unconscionable that about 3 million people will return to extreme poverty while those on higher incomes will reap $2 billion per month in tax cuts between now and the end of September. It is a scandal and international disgrace that Australia is back to having one of the lowest rates of unemployment payment in the OECD – the second lowest behind Greece.”

SACOSS

SACOSS is highlighting digital inclusion as a key area for the SA state government to address, taking the opportunity of the 11th Australian Space Forum in Adelaide on 31 March to highlight the other end of the technology spectrum, describing digital exclusion as the new frontier of inequality and a growing driver of poverty. Read more here.

TasCOSS

The Tasmanian State Election has been called for Saturday 1 May 2021. TasCOSS says we need a government that is committed to reducing poverty and inequality in our society so that everyone can live a good life. Throughout this election campaign, TasCOSS will continue to give voice and agency to the Tasmanians living on inadequate incomes, their hopes and aspirations for the future. Find out more.

ACTCOSS

ACTCOSS joined with Advocacy for Inclusion to slam proposed changes to the NDIS detailed in leaked draft legislation, and called on the government to strengthen the choice and control of people with disabilities; welcomed the extension of COVID-19 energy consumer protections by the Australian Energy Regulator; and celebrated the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, with CEO Dr Emma Campbell urging Canberrans to call out racism.

QCOSS

With the latest snap lockdown in Greater Brisbane, COVID-19 continues to have significant impacts on Queensland’s social service workforce. QCOSS will be hosting a webinar on 12 April to explore how to manage the impacts of lockdowns. It will also examine the vaccine roll-out strategy and challenges ahead for both our paid and unpaid workers. Register for the webinar here.

NCOSS

New research The Social Sector in NSW: Capitalising on the Potential for Growth commissioned by NCOSS along with other NSW peak bodies, outlines the significant contribution that social services in NSW make to our state’s economic and social wellbeing; and the potential for the sector to contribute further through new jobs and increased economic activity across metropolitan and regional areas in response to population demand.

NTCOSS

NTCOSS have launched NTCommunity – It is the first ever one-stop-shop for NT support services which, when coupled with the app, works on and offline. Whether you need disability services, financial advice, health care, or more, NTcommunity will let you know who can help. Visit the NTCOSS website for more information. 

WACOSS 

Stay up-to-date on all COVID-19 matters via the WA Government Department of Communities Coronavirus webpage. Community service organisations can visit the WACOSS Community Services COVID-19 resources page on the website for resources and information relevant to the sector.

This article was contributed by ACOSS Community Hub.