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Disadvantage must be considered as a central issue in response to disability
Jesuit Social Services recently provided a submission to the discussion paper of the Victorian state disability plan for 2017-2020. The Victorian state disability plan is a government policy framework for improving the way services and environments work for people with disabilities. Our submission,...
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Homelessness is a scandal and must not be allowed to continue
National homelessness week is always an embarrassment. And rightly so. We pride ourselves that we are a respectful society, but there is no greater sign of disrespect than to allow people to be homeless. Nothing eats into our self-respect more than to wonder where we and our family will sleep...
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To address youth offending, we must look to the evidence of what works
Last Thursday Jesuit Social Services joined Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton, community leaders and experts at a youth summit to discuss one the most important issues facing our state: the involvement of young people in serious and violent crime....
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Youth skills help build a more just future for all
With youth unemployment rising in Australia, it's harder than ever for young people to land their first job. SEZ WILKS argues for employment programs that teach not only technical skills, but life skills, too....
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The National Aboriginal Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) grew out of the recognition that the celebration of Australia Day presented a one-sided image of Australia’s history. It focused narrowly on the disruption to existing culture and life in Australia through the arrival of the First Fleet at...
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No 'one size fits all' solutions to youth unemployment
In an election focused on 'jobs and growth' both major parties have addressed youth unemployment. But the proposals of neither party will meet adequately the needs of the most severely disadvantaged young jobseekers. They ignore the human reality....
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Calling for Just Justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cognitive impairments
In the Northern Territory, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cognitive impairments are being indefinitely detained in prison despite not being charged....
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New mental health funding model brings uncertainty and instability
Yesterday (June 9), Professor Patrick McGorry from Orygen, the world-leading youth mental health program, ensured that mental health is given the focus it deserves during the federal election campaign with a powerful address to the National Press Club....
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Helping Aboriginal children stay out of the justice system
For many 13-year-olds, life revolves around school, hanging out with friends, spending time with family and extracurricular activities like sport or learning a musical instrument....
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National Sorry Day: "The Apology is not an event. It is a way of life."
It seems an age since the Australian Parliament apologised to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children taken away from their parents. At the time it seemed a brand new day; even now, children continue to catch the freshness of what was done and are inspired by it. But the condition of...