Policy submissions

Here you’ll find a wide selection of policy papers and submissions we’ve published. Each paper draws on our experience working with disadvantaged youth, families and communities.

Keeping ‘Youth at the Centre’ of our 5th National Justice Symposium
- 22 September 2021
Julie Edwards with international speakers Candice C. Jones and Clinton Lacey in their session at the National Justice Symposium In July 2021, Jesuit Social Services partnered with the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) to host the 5th National Justice Symposium in Mparntwe/Alice Springs and online. Our biennial National Justice Symposium brings together key stakeholders…
Submission to the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children Consultation
- 31 July 2021
Jesuit Social Services strongly believes addressing family violence requires tackling its root causes – supporting men and boys to live respectful, accountable, and fulfilling lives, and addressing the entrenched disadvantage that contributes to violence. We were pleased to make a recent submission to the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children Consultation…
Submission to federal inquiry into insecure work
- 17 May 2021
Jesuit Social Services recently made a submission to the federal inquiry into insecure work undertaken by the Senate Select Committee on Job Security. The extent of casual or insecure employment in Australia has been an issue brought to the fore this past year. During the height of the pandemic, many people in insecure jobs were…
Submission to Victoria's State Disability Plan 2021-25
- 14 May 2021
Jesuit Social Services contributed to the consultation conducted by the Victorian Government on the next State Disability Plan 2021-25. Our written feedback specifically addresses topics outlined in the Consultation Paper as well as additional areas of concern we believe warrant further attention. The submission commends the Victorian Government’s proposed human-rights based approach as well as…
Submission to the consultation on Victoria’s 10-Year Social and Affordable Housing Strategy
- 22 April 2021
Jesuit Social Services contributed to the consultation conducted by Homes Victoria on its proposed 10-Year Social and Affordable Housing Strategy for Victoria. Our written submission provides feedback on the Strategy and specifically addresses questions posed in the Discussion Paper. The submission commends the Strategy’s positive vision for every Victorian to have access to a safe,…
Submission to the Victorian Government’s Consultation in response to the Victorian Government’s Discussion Paper ‘What matters to young people in Victoria’
- 18 February 2021
A statewide strategy that enables all young Victorians to thrive must specifically target people at heightened risk of disadvantage and be grounded in a framework of human rights principles. Jesuit Social Services was pleased to contribute a submission in response to the Victorian Government’s ‘What matters to young people in Victoria’ discussion paper, as part…
Submission on mandatory sentencing and community-based sentencing options in the Northern Territory
- 8 February 2021
Jesuit Social Services was pleased to contribute to the Northern Territory Law Reform Committee’s consultation on mandatory sentencing and community-based sentencing options. Our submission outlined our opposition to mandatory sentencing and recommended the repeal of all mandatory sentencing provisions in the NT under the Sentencing Act 1995, the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 and…
Submission to the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s Consultation on Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences
- 11 January 2021
Jesuit Social Services contributed to the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s (VLRC) consultation on Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences. In general, Jesuit Social Services advocates a restorative approach by the justice system. In the context of sexual offending and sexual offences, we emphasise the need to ensure that restorative approaches are…
Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee’s consultation regarding the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Extension of Coronavirus Support) Bill 2020
- 7 December 2020
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee’s consultation regarding the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Extension of Coronavirus Support) Bill 2020, which allows for the extension of the Coronavirus Supplement until 31 March 2021. In this submission, we highlight that the COVID-19 pandemic has underlined pre-existing…
Update on our engagement with the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System
- 5 December 2020
In July 2019, Jesuit Social Services made a written submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. Our aim was to facilitate the voice and experience of our participants and program staff in relation to mental health and wellbeing. Jesuit Social Services’ submission made recommendations across a range of areas. These include broader…