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.

Submission to the Senate Economics References Committee Inquiry into Affordable Housing
- 3 March 2014
This submission focuses on how to best support the most disadvantaged people in our community to find safe and secure homes. It was made to the Senate Economics References Committee’s Inquiry into Affordable Housing. In the submission, Jesuit Social Services makes four recommendations: Develop a National Housing Strategy that covers all aspects of policy relevant…
Submission to the 2014-15 Victorian State Budget
- 10 December 2013
This submission responds to the 2014-15 Victorian State Budget. It provides solutions that can stem the growing cost – and increasing harm to people – caused by imprisonment. Our submission proposes practical programmatic reforms to support people to build pathways to productive lives, reduce crime and strengthen our communities. It calls on the Victorian Government to invest in three priority areas: ensuring…
Submission to the 'Preventing Sexual Abuse of Children in Out-of-Home Care' issues paper
- 18 November 2013
This submission endorses the Truth, Justice and Healing Council's response to Issues Paper 4: Preventing Sexual Abuse of Children in Out-of-Home Care. The issues paper is published by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Our submission calls for the Council to include further information in their response, including: Greater attention to strategies and…
Submission to the Supply and Use of Methamphetamines in Victoria Inquiry
- 20 October 2013
This submission responds to the 2013 Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the supply and use of methamphetamines, particularly 'ice', in Victoria. Methamphetamines use impacts on the judgement, mental health, health, and relationships of many of the people we work with. Our submission outlines some concrete steps for action that can be taken within the existing harm minimisation framework of…
Submission to the 'Child Safe Institutions' issues paper
- 4 October 2013
This submission endorses the Truth, Justice and Healing Council's response to Issues Paper 3: Child Safe Institutions. The issues paper is published by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Our submission fully endorses the nine essential elements of child safe organisations posited by the Council: a protective child centred organisational culture; ‘child aware’ leadership; continuous risk…
Submission to the Victoria Police Field Contact Policy and Cross Cultural Training consultation
- 26 July 2013
This submission responds to the Victoria Police's 2013 Field Contact Policy and Cross Cultural Training community consultation. The consultation sought to generate discussion and feedback to Victoria Police in order to improve members' engagement with and understanding of Victoria's diverse communities. Our submission focuses on how Victoria Police can best work with the community by addressing several needs: The…
Response to the Stronger Futures Aboriginal Workforce Development Strategy
- 24 July 2013
This joint letter by Jesuit Social Services and the Atyenhenge-atherre Aboriginal Corporation responds to the draft Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Aboriginal Workforce Development Strategy. Our letter proposes six ways to strengthen the Aboriginal workforce in Stronger Futures: Set benchmarks and realistically budget for travel allowances and resources for remote workers within the operational models for services. Explore the potential…
Submission to the Northern Territory Alcohol Mandatory Treatment Bill 2013
- 31 May 2013
This submission responds to the Northern Territory Department of Health's Alcohol Mandatory Treatment Bill 2013. It outlines our serious concerns about this proposed legislation and the scheme that it will create. The submission questions the scheme's enormous and unjustified economic cost, given the lack of evidence for the effectiveness of mandatory treatment. It recommends that the Northern Territory Government: Postpone…
Submission to the 'Towards a More Effective and Sustainable Community Services System' discussion paper
- 20 April 2013
This submission responds to the 2013 Victorian Government discussion paper, Towards A More Effective and Sustainable Community Services System. The discussion paper is part of the Victorian Government Service Sector Reform Project. Our submission is framed by two contextual considerations: The extent to which poverty and disadvantage in society are the consequence of structural factors that lie beyond the…
Submission to the 'Melbourne, Let's Talk About the Future' discussion paper
- 20 March 2013
This submission responds to Plan Melbourne's 2012 discussion paper, which was released to prompt debate around the challenges and ideas for Melbourne's future. Our submission draws on our understanding that cities exist for people, and not people for cities. It argues that Melbourne in 2050 must be a city that provides for the basic needs of all of its people. The…