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 federal inquiry into insecure work
- 17 May 2021
Jesuit Social Services recently made a submission to the federal inquiry into insecure work undertaken by the Senate Select Committee on Job Security. The extent of casual or insecure employment in Australia has been an issue brought to the fore this past year. During the height of the pandemic, many people in insecure jobs were…
Submission to Victoria's State Disability Plan 2021-25
- 14 May 2021
Jesuit Social Services contributed to the consultation conducted by the Victorian Government on the next State Disability Plan 2021-25. Our written feedback specifically addresses topics outlined in the Consultation Paper as well as additional areas of concern we believe warrant further attention. The submission commends the Victorian Government’s proposed human-rights based approach as well as…
Submission to the consultation on Victoria’s 10-Year Social and Affordable Housing Strategy
- 22 April 2021
Jesuit Social Services contributed to the consultation conducted by Homes Victoria on its proposed 10-Year Social and Affordable Housing Strategy for Victoria. Our written submission provides feedback on the Strategy and specifically addresses questions posed in the Discussion Paper. The submission commends the Strategy’s positive vision for every Victorian to have access to a safe,…
Submission to the Victorian Government’s Consultation in response to the Victorian Government’s Discussion Paper ‘What matters to young people in Victoria’
- 18 February 2021
A statewide strategy that enables all young Victorians to thrive must specifically target people at heightened risk of disadvantage and be grounded in a framework of human rights principles. Jesuit Social Services was pleased to contribute a submission in response to the Victorian Government’s ‘What matters to young people in Victoria’ discussion paper, as part…
Submission on mandatory sentencing and community-based sentencing options in the Northern Territory
- 8 February 2021
Jesuit Social Services was pleased to contribute to the Northern Territory Law Reform Committee’s consultation on mandatory sentencing and community-based sentencing options. Our submission outlined our opposition to mandatory sentencing and recommended the repeal of all mandatory sentencing provisions in the NT under the Sentencing Act 1995, the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 and…
Submission to the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s Consultation on Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences
- 11 January 2021
Jesuit Social Services contributed to the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s (VLRC) consultation on Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences. In general, Jesuit Social Services advocates a restorative approach by the justice system. In the context of sexual offending and sexual offences, we emphasise the need to ensure that restorative approaches are…
Submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee’s consultation regarding the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Extension of Coronavirus Support) Bill 2020
- 7 December 2020
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee’s consultation regarding the Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Extension of Coronavirus Support) Bill 2020, which allows for the extension of the Coronavirus Supplement until 31 March 2021. In this submission, we highlight that the COVID-19 pandemic has underlined pre-existing…
Update on our engagement with the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System
- 5 December 2020
In July 2019, Jesuit Social Services made a written submission to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System. Our aim was to facilitate the voice and experience of our participants and program staff in relation to mental health and wellbeing. Jesuit Social Services’ submission made recommendations across a range of areas. These include broader…
Submission on the ‘Continuation of Cashless Welfare Bill 2020'
- 18 November 2020
Jesuit Social Services has previously outlined a range of concerns about the ongoing trials and continued expansion of the cashless debit card measures. These include the disproportionate impact of the scheme on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; inadequate consultation with affected communities; its compulsory nature; the lack of a clear evidence base; and evidence…
Submission to the inquiry into environmental infrastructure in Victoria
- 13 October 2020
Investment in our environmental infrastructure is a crucial element of building more equitable, sustainable, and resilient communities. Jesuit Social Services therefore commends the initiation of this Inquiry into Environmental Infrastructure for Growing Populations, and welcomes the opportunity to respond. The need to safeguard and develop green and open spaces is ever more important in an increasingly…