Seven demands for new government, human rights conference for QLD, and a new low pay report

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

ACOSS

Australia has handed the incoming Labor government a golden opportunity to work in collaboration to address the significant challenges of inequality and climate change we face, as we continue to emerge from this pandemic. 

ACOSS will be looking to the incoming federal government to be bold in facing the challenges ahead by taking the following seven steps:

1. Lift income supports so that everyone has enough to cover the basics.
2. Ensure everyone has a safe, stable home.
3. Secure fair, fast and inclusive climate action.
4. Support people to secure paid employment.
5. Raise the revenue needed to meet the big challenges.
6. Secure essential community services.
7. Deliver self-determination and justice for First Nations Peoples.

QCOSS 

QCOSS has announced an incredible line-up of speakers and panel events for its 2022 Conference, which will explore Power and Politics of the Care Economy. Speakers include advocate and 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame, journalist and best-selling author Amy Remeikis, and Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall.

ACTCOSS 

ACTCOSS shares the hope of ACOSS in welcoming the opportunities for change presented by the incoming Labor government. The new government has a renewed mandate to address the community’s major concerns and reduce income inequality, solve the housing crisis, take action on climate change, meaningfully support self-determination of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and do away with unaffordable tax cuts.

NCOSS 

Join the NCOSS Post-Budget Breakfast (hybrid event) hosted by Ashley Raper. Following the release of the 2022-23 NSW budget, hear from our political leaders on their priorities at this important time, what the budget means for those in NSW doing it toughest and what it means for our over-stretched sector.

TasCOSS 

Join Richard Eccleston and the TasCOSS policy team live in conversation to unpack the nitty-gritty of the 2022/23 state budget. This post-budget online event is free for TasCOSS members and will feature a presentation from renowned political researcher and commentator Professor Richard Eccleston (Institute for Social Change, University of Tasmania), as well as further analysis on the impact of the budget on community services from TasCOSS. 

WACOSS

The Low Pay Report 2022, released by WACOSS and UnionsWA, explores the area of low-wage work in WA. With cost of living pressures rising, the report found that significant financial stress is significantly impacting low-waged workers who are struggling to keep up with skyrocketing prices for basic necessities, and feeling the impact of slow wage growth.

SACOSS 

With the SA state budget due to be handed down soon, SACOSS will be analysing the budget measures, the new state government’s plans for the year ahead, and how they answer the critical need to ensure that more South Australians can adequately cover the basics. SACOSS’ advocacy in the critical areas of rental affordability, digital inclusion, water security, fairer concessions, and public health, will continue.  

VCOSS

Federation Square became a bit more deadly last week with the opening of The Balit Durn Durn Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing. VCOSS extends its huge congratulations to its members and friends at The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation in this landmark moment. 

NTCOSS 

NTCOSS welcomes the appointment of the new NT government ministers announced earlier this week. These appointments are not only a reflection of the diversity from across the Territory, but also see the welcome appointment of a senior minister from the Central Australian region.

This article was contributed by ACOSS Community Hub.