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A criminal justice system that builds a safer community
This position paper is one of four produced by Jesuit Social Services as part of our 2014 Victorian State Government Election Platform. In it, we call for a more effective and humane approach to criminal justice that focuses on: preventing crime by addressing its root causes diverting people from the justice system providing safe and…
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Submission to the Review of Australia's Welfare System
This submission responds to the Australian Government’s 2014 Review of Australia’s Welfare System. It recommends that reforms to the income support system should: Focus on maximising civic participation: support and reward both employment and social activation, including volunteering, learning and other forms of independent participation. Ensure rates of income support adequately meet the needs of people: any reforms that…
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Strengthening Prisoner Transition to Create a Safer Victoria
This paper considers the reforms and investment needed to achieve a reduction to reoffending in Victoria. Our analysis is drawn from our long experience working with prisoners and ex-prisoners and is reinforced with evidence from the emerging international research on ‘desistance’ – the factors that contribute to people stopping offending. The paper describes the complexity of transitioning from prison to the community, and highlights the needs…
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Submission to the Senate Economics References Committee Inquiry into Affordable Housing
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…
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Submission to the 2014-15 Victorian State Budget
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…
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Submission to the 'Preventing Sexual Abuse of Children in Out-of-Home Care' issues paper
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…
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Submission to the Victoria Police Field Contact Policy and Cross Cultural Training consultation
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…
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Response to the Stronger Futures Aboriginal Workforce Development Strategy
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…
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Submission to the 'Employment Services: Building on Success' issues paper
This submission responds to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations’ 2013 issues paper, Employment Services: Building on Success. The issues paper sought comments on several key themes, including meeting the needs of job seekers, and working in partnership with employers and other services. Our submission identifies three areas for employment services reform: Effective support between services to…
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Submission to the Value of a Justice Reinvestment Approach to Criminal Justice in Australia Inquiry
This submission responds to the 2013 Senate Inquiry into the value of a justice reinvestment approach to criminal justice in Australia. The submission advises that the starting place for a justice reinvestment framework should be the right to respect, dignity and compassion for all human beings. Integral to this is cultural respect, foremost for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The…