Media releases Archives - Page 8 of 29

Small number of Australian communities continue to experience entrenched and persistent disadvantage
- 24 November 2021
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,…
Worsening COVID crisis in Victorian prison system needs urgent intervention
- 6 October 2021
The current COVID-19 outbreak within the Victorian prison system, which has spread to five prisons across Melbourne and regional Victoria, requires urgent intervention by the Victorian Government to prevent the crisis from worsening says Jesuit Social Services. “Around the world, and here in Australia, we have seen how quickly COVID-19 can spread within prison systems…
Urgent action required to support vulnerable people in NSW’s prison system
- 1 September 2021
The NSW Government must protect the health and safety of vulnerable people in prison by moving to immediately release some people into the community, as COVID-19 outbreaks in the state’s prisons continue to worsen, says Jesuit Social Services. “Throughout the pandemic, across Australia and beyond, we have been extremely concerned about the potential catastrophic consequences…
Federal Government must act immediately to protect Afghan refugees
- 26 August 2021
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…
CAPSA urges Federal Government to do more to protect Afghan refugees
- 21 August 2021
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…
Northern Territory’s Aboriginal Justice Agreement will improve outcomes, but further work needed
- 12 August 2021
The Northern Territory Government’s landmark Aboriginal Justice Agreement is a significant step towards improving justice outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, but must be supported by a consistent approach across the justice system to keep young people out of detention, says Jesuit Social Services. The Aboriginal Justice Agreement has been developed in strong…
NT youth detention settlement an urgent warning that justice reform is needed
- 28 July 2021
A landmark $35 million settlement between the Northern Territory Government and children who were mistreated in its youth detention system is a warning that youth justice reform is urgently needed, says Jesuit Social Services. “Five years ago, the entire nation was horrified by the footage of children being abused, neglected and mistreated in the Northern…
IBAC report highlights need for urgent changes to state’s prison system
- 24 June 2021
A new report by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission has revealed a string of serious systemic issues within the Victorian prison system and must be the catalyst for reform, says Jesuit Social Services. The report investigates allegations of prison staff covering the lens of their body worn cameras while treating prisoners with force, assault against…
Better approaches to supporting young people in the Northern Territory
- 18 June 2021
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…
NT Government must invest in prevention, not detention
- 11 June 2021
The Northern Territory Government’s planned expansion of the Don Dale youth detention facility is a tacit admission it is turning its back on the recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory which was established, in no small part, in response to the conditions at the very…

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