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.

States of Justice: Criminal justice trends across Australia
- 19 December 2016
For the first time, Jesuit Social Services’ States of Justice Report has drawn together data from around Australia to provide a fuller picture of how Australia’s criminal justice system is trending. It offers a chance to delve into the reality of crime and punishment in Australia: that we are becoming more punitive but to less effect. The…
Submission to the Fifth National Mental Health Plan
- 14 December 2016
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Department of Health’s draft Fifth National Mental Health Plan. Our submission calls for: mental health to be addressed within the context of place-based entrenched disadvantage trauma-informed and innovative models to strengthen entry points and specialist responses for people with multiple and complex needs a nationally…
Our response to the use of isolation, separation and lockdowns in youth justice
- 12 December 2016
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Commission for Children and Young People’s Inquiry into the use of isolation, separation and lockdowns in youth justice centres. We believe that: current approaches to children who display antisocial behaviour frequently fail to engage with them in ways that are developmentally appropriate a range of…
Submission to the Federal Senate Inquiry into Nauru and Manus Island
- 8 November 2016
People who come to Australia seeking asylum are among the most vulnerable members of our community. Respect for their human dignity and health and wellbeing requires that they are properly fed, sheltered, safe, provided with appropriate educational opportunities, receive medical care and have their claims adjudicated fairly within a reasonable timeframe. Our submission to the…
New South Wales 2017/18 State Budget Submission
- 8 November 2016
Based on our experience working with vulnerable communities and evidence of what works, Jesuit Social Services’ submission to the 2017/18 NSW State Budget calls on the NSW Government to invest in two key areas: entrenched disadvantage addressing male violence Get your copy Download our submission to the NSW 2017/18 State Budget.
Submission to Victoria's draft 30-year infrastructure strategy
- 4 November 2016
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to Victoria’s Draft 30-year Infrastructure Strategy. Infrastructure plays a crucial role in fostering safe, strong and healthy communities. Good infrastructure is about providing access to education, quality health care, employment and sustainable housing, and can provide communities with opportunities to foster a sense of belonging and social cohesion.…
Introducing competition and choice into human services
- 4 November 2016
These submissions comment on the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into introducing competition and informed user choice into human services, as well as a parallel inquiry, the People’s Inquiry into Privatisation initiated by the Public Services International (PSI) Australia. Jesuit Social Services is a strong advocate for innovative and quality human services. Our programs have developed in response to local…
Submission to the 2017/18 Victorian State Budget
- 2 November 2016
Based on our experience working with vulnerable communities and evidence of what works, Jesuit Social Services’ submission to the 2017/18 Victorian State Budget calls on the Victorian Government to invest in the following areas: entrenched disadvantage addressing male violence housing out-of-home care youth and adult justice mental health Get your copy Download a summary of…
Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory – our response
- 31 October 2016
This submission responds to the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory. In it, we draw on almost 40 years’ experience accompanying people involved, or at risk of becoming involved, in the criminal justice system. We also draw on evidence of how to create better outcomes for young people…
Productivity Commission’s inquiry: introducing competition and informed user choice into human services
- 28 September 2016
This submission comments on the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into introducing competition and informed user choice into human services. Jesuit Social Services is a strong advocate for innovative and quality human services. Our programs have developed in response to local community needs, working with the community to support those most vulnerable in our society. This submission…