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Small number of Australian communities continue to experience entrenched and persistent disadvantage
A small number of communities across the country continue to bear the brunt of multilayered disadvantage and experience disproportionate levels of unemployment, housing stress and young people not engaged in education or employment, among other risk factors for disadvantage, according to a landmark report published today. This limits life opportunities for people in these communities,…
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Federal Government must act immediately to protect Afghan refugees
The Federal Government must show compassion and true leadership to support people impacted by the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan, including an immediate increase of Australia’s intake of humanitarian refugees, says Jesuit Social Services. “Like millions of Australians, we are deeply distressed at the scenes emerging from Afghanistan of people trying to flee the Taliban and…
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CAPSA urges Federal Government to do more to protect Afghan refugees
The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA), representing leaders across the Catholic Church, health, education, refugee and social services, has called on the Morrison Federal Government to guarantee permanent visas for Afghans already in the country under temporary protection or currently being processed, and increase its intake of humanitarian refugees from Afghanistan. The call…
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Better approaches to supporting young people in the Northern Territory
In May, the Northern Territory Government introduced a number of legislative changes to the youth justice system that will see more children separated from family and community, and funnelled into detention. These deeply concerning measures include increasing grounds to refuse or revoke bail; reducing access to diversion; and more powers to place electronic monitoring devices…
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$50 a fortnight JobSeeker raise will not support dignified lives
The Federal Government’s confirmation of a $50 per fortnight increase to the JobSeeker payment – once the current Coronavirus Supplement ends in March – is a decision that lacks empathy and will continue to condemn many Australians to poverty, says Jesuit Social Services. “We are extremely disappointed that, although the COVID-19 pandemic has made it…
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Federal Government must #RaiseTheRate to avoid returning people to poverty
Jesuit Social Services has urged political leaders to commit to a permanent raising of the Jobseeker rate ahead of an expected announcement from the Federal Government later this month. Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards says a permanent rise is needed to avoid vulnerable Australians returning to poverty. “The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all Australians,…
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Victorian Budget 2020/21 creates a stronger, more cohesive state
The Victorian Government’s 2020/21 Budget, handed down today, provides unprecedented funding to vital social services and supports to help all Victorians to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, says Jesuit Social Services. “Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said today that COVID-19 has shone a bright light on some of the dark cracks in our society,…
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New place-based centre for research and action will support marginalised communities to flourish
Putting local communities at the heart of decision making, and empowering communities to give them the resources they need to reach their potential, will be key focus areas of Jesuit Social Services’ place-based centre for research and action, which will launch in early 2021. “The place-based centre for research and action will be a new…
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Funding boost to legal assistance services will support vulnerable Victorians
The Victorian Government’s $17.5 million funding boost to frontline legal assistance services including Victoria Legal Aid, Community Legal Centres and Aboriginal legal services will ensure that vulnerable Victorians will have access to vital services during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Jesuit Social Services. “We welcome the Victorian Government’s announcement of additional funding to frontline legal assistant…
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More than 100 participants from across the Northern Territory have gathered in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), on the land of the Central Arrernte people, to commit to transformative actions that respond to the climate crisis and create a just and sustainable future for our communities. The Summit was attended by Indigenous community leaders, representatives from Aboriginal…