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.

Response to the Victorian Government's Employment Programs Review
- 10 October 2015
Our policy response calls for a coordinated strategy to address the employment needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups, based on six key planks: Intervene early, and intensively, to prevent long-term unemployment and disadvantage Build the skills and capabilities of vulnerable people (including job-readiness training, for jobseekers with limited previous work experience, such as young people,…
An escalating problem: Responding to the increased remand of children in Victoria
- 1 October 2015
Our paper describes the dramatic increase in the number of children held on remand in Victoria, including a significant increase in children under 15. It finds that the increase is directly driven by reforms to the Bail Act in December 2013 that impose the same conditions and restrictions on children as are applied to adults.…
Response to Victoria's next 10-year mental health strategy
- 20 September 2015
Our policy response proposes actions to: prevent and reduce suicide; reduce disadvantage and increase social and economic participation; respond to need with effective, coordinated treatment and support; and recognise and respond to the experience of trauma. It supports the vision articulated in the discussion paper for an holistic approach to mental health that takes account…
Response to the independent review of delivery of Mental Health and Drug Treatment Services
- 9 September 2015
Our policy response draws on our experience of over 38 years working directly with people with complex needs with mental health and substance misuse issues. It focuses on the impact of recommissioning of mental health community support services (MHCSS), but also comments on alcohol an other drugs (AOD) services where applicable. We strongly endorse the concerns…
Submission to the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence
- 9 May 2015
This submission explore the gaps and opportunities for better responding to perpetrators of family violence. Our diversity of work means we have direct experience of the gaps in responses to family violence. While our services are not family violence specific, the impact of family violence is present across all our programs: our participants have experienced violence,…
Building a Just and Safe NSW
- 10 January 2015
Our policy platform draws on our daily work with communities in Western Sydney and remote regions of the state. In it, we call on the next NSW Government to tackle the root causes of disadvantage in order to build a safer and more just community. We identify four key areas for action: Building strong and cohesive…
Investigation into the rehabilitation and reintegration of prisoners in Victoria
- 12 December 2014
Jesuit Social Services contributed this submission to the Victorian Ombudsman’s Investigation into the Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Prisoners. This submission outlines some steps to be taken to confront the dual challenges of overcrowding in our prison system and transitioning people from prison back into community, as well as to strengthen the Victorian justice system’s approach…
Submission to the Competition Policy Review
- 29 November 2014
This submission by Jesuit Social Services considers competition principles as they relate to human services, and was made to the Competition Policy Review. The submission opposes the Panel’s view that further commodification of existing human services and exposure to rigours of the market is required. It contends that this view dangerously oversimplifies the role played…
Submission to the Inquiry into the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014
- 31 October 2014
This submission expresses Jesuit Social Services’ serious concerns about the Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014 (‘the Bill’). We oppose the Bill and urge its rejection. We believe that the Bill denies people basic human rights and will place vulnerable people at serious risk of harm or death. Our…
Youth Justice: Strengthening our approach
- 19 October 2014
This paper identifies eight initiatives to improve the Victorian youth justice system, with a focus on opportunities to intervene and divert vulnerable children and young people from the justice system. The paper calls on the next Victorian Government to: Raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 years old to 12 years old and put in place approaches to…