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.

Senate Inquiry into the indefinite detention of people with cognitive and psychiatric impairment in Australia
- 27 April 2016
This submission responds to the 2015 Senate Inquiry into the indefinite detention of people with cognitive and psychiatric impairment in Australia. The submission focuses on people with cognitive impairment, however, many of its recommendations are also relevant to people with psychiatric impairment within the criminal justice system. The submission identifies that Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders, people with a…
Submission to the Victorian State Budget 2016-17
- 8 April 2016
Our submission the 2016-17 Victorian State Budget calls on the Andrews government to invest in five priority areas: Implementing place-based approaches to address entrenched disadvantage. Ensuring there is a full continuum of diversion in Victoria’s youth justice system. Building an effective and sustainable adult criminal justice system. Enhancing pathways to participation for people who are disengaged…
Re-engaging disadvantaged learners in education, training and employment
- 31 March 2016
Our policy paper looks at ways to re-engage disadvantaged learners in the Victorian Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. Vulnerable learners often face a number of barriers to engaging in education such as caring responsibilities, inadequate accommodation, physical and mental health conditions, disability, negative experiences of schooling and low levels of confidence in the classroom.…
The Living Conditions of People Seeking Asylum in Australia
- 1 December 2015
Our paper describes the living conditions of people seeking asylum currently living in the Australian community. It focuses on the more than 27,000 asylum seekers who have arrived by boat and live in the community, awaiting the processing and outcome of their protection application. Most people seeking asylum currently living in Australia receive little or…
Response to the Victorian Inquiry into the Labour Hire Industry and Insecure Work
- 1 November 2015
Our policy response proposes eight key ways to improve labour hire arrangements for Victorian workers, businesses and the broader community. It conveys our experience of particular groups in the Victorian community who are more likely to become 'trapped' in insecure work. We recommend: Funding alternative labour hire models that are able to meet the needs…
Response to the Victorian Government's What's Important to YOUth? discussion paper
- 1 November 2015
Our policy response makes 28 recommendations on what should be done to improve educational, training and employment opportunities for young people, as well as their mental health, housing and their lives in general. Get your copy Download Jesuit Social Services' response to the What's Important to YOUth? discussion paper
Too much too young: Raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12
- 24 October 2015
Our paper urges all Australian governments to increase the age of criminal responsibility in Australia from 10 to 12. The minimum age of criminal responsibility across all Australian jurisdictions is 10, despite extensive scientific evidence the brains of children under 12 are not adequately developed for them to be criminally responsible. We make six key…
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…

Policy submissions

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