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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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Banning of conversion therapy a step towards ending gender-based discrimination
The passing of the Change or Suppression (Conversion) Practices Prohibition Bill 2020 (Victoria), without amendment, will better support the dignity of each person and their right to be and express who they are, says Jesuit Social Services. “This law will make a meaningful difference to the lives of many, and ultimately work towards a more…
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New report highlights importance of Indigenous-led solutions to improve outcomes
A new Productivity Commission report measuring the wellbeing of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people demonstrates that Indigenous communities and organisations must be central to designing and implementing solutions to ultimately help people thrive, says Jesuit Social Services. “The Productivity Commission’s report into Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage shows us that too many Aboriginal and Torres…
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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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World Children’s Day highlights need to #RaiseTheAge
World Children’s Day (November 20) is a timely reminder of the vulnerabilities of children and the need to ensure primary school aged children are in the playground – not in prison. Jesuit Social Services’ Worth A Second Chance campaign has just launched a new animated short illustrated by Melbourne artist Ben Jelfs and narrated by…
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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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Mental health funding welcome, but more postvention funding needed
The Victorian Government’s $868.6m investment into fixing the state’s mental health system, announced ahead of the Victorian State Budget 2020/21, will improve outcomes for millions of Victorians according to Jesuit Social Services. “The Victorian Government has shown a strong commitment to transforming our mental health system, including the establishment of the Royal Commission which will…
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Report highlights areas for reform in mental health system to prevent suicides
A report released today by Jesuit Social Services’ Support After Suicide program shows that parents, partners, children and siblings are struggling in silence against a mental health system that they feel leaves them unsupported and uninformed to care for loved ones at risk of suicide. Drawing on the experiences of more than 140 Victorians who described…
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ACT shows the country it is time to #RaiseTheAge
The Australian Capital Territory has paved the way for other states and territories to provide ageappropriate responses to children in trouble, following its Legislative Assembly voting to raise the age of legal responsibility from 10 to 14 years. It is the first Australian state or territory to commit to changing its laws to ensure primary…