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Victorian State Election platform 2018
Elections are times for asking what kind of a society we want. They invite us to name our own vision. At election times, too, politicians offer us their visions for a good society. We have a responsibility to assess what they offer, and have an opportunity to advocate for change. Jesuit Social Services accompanies and…
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Submission to the Senate Education and Employment References Committee’s inquiry into jobactive
Jesuit Social Services has seen how the current employment services system, with its focus on compliance and meeting narrowly prescribed outcomes, is failing the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people. As a starting point, we believe that for this group of people, the employment and wider human services system needs to broaden its focus from the…
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Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to respond to the inquiry into Regional Inequality in Australia. The terms of reference for the inquiry called on submitters to examine the indicators of, and impact of, regional inequality in Australia, with particular reference to government policies and programs across a range of areas, including infrastructure, education, employment…
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Submission to the Northern Territory Government’s Climate Change Discussion Paper
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the development of a Climate Change Strategy for the Northern Territory. As an organisation, Jesuit Social Services recognises the significant and imminent risks that climate change poses to our communities and the natural world. We also recognise that the people least responsible for ecological threats likely…
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Our Vision for New South Wales – Election and Budget Priorities
Elections are a time to reflect on the state of our communities and consider our vision for the future. The success of our communities should be measured by the equality of access and opportunity its members enjoy. At this New South Wales State Election, we call on all sides of politics to commit addressing disadvantage…
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Submission to the 2019/20 Victorian State Budget
The re-elected Andrews Government is to be commended on a number of election commitments, including the announcement of $200 million for 1,000 new housing properties, free dental care for children and young people at public schools, 15 hours a week of kindergarten for three year olds, and a Mental Health Royal Commission. Jesuit Social Services…
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Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into ‘The Social and Economic Benefits of Improving Mental Health’. Given the need for systemic and culture change in mental health, Jesuit Social Services is heartened by the Inquiry’s focus on how reforms outside of healthcare – such as in workplaces,…
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The harsh reality of onshore immigration detention in Australia
“Rules for visitors have become stricter, procedures more onerous and conditions for visits less welcoming. Changes appear to be designed to deter visits. I believe they are achieving this goal. Because of this I have increased my visits to twice weekly.” – A detention visitor in Victoria Numerous independent reports over many years have documented…
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Submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System
Supporting Victorians’ mental health and wellbeing is a complex issue. In listening to people with lived experience of mental illness, Jesuit Social Services understands how poor mental health can severely impact on an individual’s wellbeing across a wide range of areas including education and training, employment, family wellbeing, justice and crime. It is therefore critical…
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Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to respond to the inquiry into a spent convictions scheme in Victoria. Many of the people we work with struggle to obtain employment due to their criminal record, which can negatively impact their overall mental and physical well-being. We can’t expect people to turn their lives around if they…