Jesuit Social Services congratulates the incoming Albanese Government on its Federal Election victory, and says the result is a recognition that Australians want to see action on key issues including climate change and reducing poverty and inequality.

“With this Election result, the community has delivered a loud and clear message that they want our political leaders to commit to policies and investments that create a more compassionate Australia,” says Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards.

“Millions of people have voted for action on climate change, more humane approaches towards people seeking asylum, plans to reduce inequality including gender inequality, housing affordability and the implementation of the Uluru Statement of the Heart.

“Recent years have shown us that marginalised people and communities have been hardest hit by disasters including the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis. We now look forward to working with the new Federal Government to ensure that those on the margins of society are no longer overlooked, and that all Australians are supported to reach their potential.”

Jesuit Social Services’ Federal Election platform, A blueprint for a just recovery, draws on the organisation’s 45-year history of advocacy and action to provide recommendations across a range of interconnected social policy areas including youth justice, mental health, affordable housing, ecological justice, gender justice, immigration and settlement.

The platform highlights the previous Government’s responses to the pandemic – such as a temporary increase to Jobseeker – proved complex social issues are not beyond resolution.

Many responses to the pandemic provided valuable short-term relief. What we need now are long-term solutions to address inequality and to create an Australia where nobody is left behind.


Julie Edwards

Jesuit Social Services CEO

Some of Jesuit Social Services’ key recommendations for the incoming Government include:

  • Raising the age of criminal responsibility to the age of 14 across all states and territories
  • Establishing a 10-year national strategy on housing and homelessness
  • Increasing funding and resources for organisations and communities seeking to trial, test and implement climate change adaptation, mitigation and transformation activities
  • Commit to progressing the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people articulated in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, particularly through constitutional recognition of the National Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

“We hope to see some of these recommendations become reality throughout the first term of the new Federal Government, and for all Australians to have the opportunity to flourish.”


Media enquiries

For all enquiries contact Kathryn Kernohan on 0409 901 248 or kathryn.kernohan@jss.org.au

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