Community partnerships, healthy homes for renters and the impacts of the pandemic on DFV

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

ACOSS

ACOSS is recruiting for a senior advisor of community services to join the team. This is an influential community services advisory role that leads and drives ACOSS’ community services policy and advocacy work. For more information see here.

Last week, ACOSS called on the federal government to protect jobs and incomes in lockdowns, with a plan including disaster recovery payments like those paid to people affected by bushfires, a targeted reintroduction of JobKeeper payments, and lifting of JobSeeker to above poverty levels. We then responded when the government announced the COVID disaster payments for lockdowns of more than seven days, saying they would provide much-needed support, but excluded many struggling

NCOSS

Following the release of the 2021-22 NSW budget, NCOSS invites you to join the annual NCOSS NSW Post-Budget (Hybrid) Event on Friday 2 July at NSW Parliament House or virtually. The event is an opportunity to engage with political leaders on issues of significance to NSW families and communities – particularly those doing it tough. They will be joined by NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet MP and opposition representative Penny Sharpe MLC. There are limited spaces available for in-person attendance due to COVID restrictions, with in-person registrations closing 23 June. Register today here!

QCOSS

For the domestic and family violence sector, COVID-19 lockdown periods have seen demand for support intensify and client needs become more complex. QCOSS is exploring the impacts of the pandemic on DFV in its upcoming COVID-19 Learning Exchange, which will look at how the social service sector can better prepare for future lockdowns, and hear from organisations that provide frontline support to victim-survivors. Register here.

ACTCOSS

ACTCOSS has welcomed steps by the ACT government to improve vaccination access for people with disabilities and their carers; called for investment in housing and the community sector in the upcoming ACT budget; and welcomed measures to ensure that Canberrans facing disadvantage aren’t left behind in the transition to net-zero renewable electricity.

WACOSS

A new framework has been released to strengthen relationships between the Department of Communities and its partners to better support Western Australians. Co-launched on 5 May by WACOSS CEO Louise Giolitto and director general Michelle Andrews, the partnership framework is designed to improve the way the department, community services and private sector organisations work together. For more information and a copy of the framework visit the Communities’ Partnerships webpage.

VCOSS

VCOSS would like to thank those who came along to the 2021 VCOSS Treasurer’s Breakfast on Monday 24 May. ABC TV’s Mary Gearin did a stellar job hosting the event, which included an audience Q&A with Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas. If you missed it – or you’re not currently a member with VCOSS – the recording is linked here.

TasCOSS

TasCOSS is seeking a policy officer to conduct analysis, undertake research and develop policy for TasCOSS across a broad range of social policy areas. The policy officer will be responsible for producing high quality research, policy advice, reports and government submissions that draw on the experiences and voices of our members and Tasmanians living on low incomes and experiencing disadvantage. 

SACOSS

The SA state budget will be handed down on Tuesday 22 June. SACOSS will be hosting its 11th annual post budget breakfast with the treasurer and warmly invites members and friends to join on Thursday 1 July, where you will hear directly from SA Treasurer Rob Lucas MLC, about his government’s budget, followed by a panel of sector experts who will discuss what it means for our sector and the people it supports. Learn more here.

NTCOSS 

NTCOSS has joined the Healthy Homes for Renters campaign because whether you’re freezing in an uninsulated rental in the Centre or sweltering in a hot box in the North, an energy efficient home means cheaper bills, better health and less pollution. Learn more here.

This article was contributed by ACOSS Community Hub.