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Flexibility Needed in Job Services Start-Up to Avoid Unfair Penalties

30 June 2009

With nearly 260,000 job seekers expected to register with new job services providers from tomorrow, disadvantaged job seekers risk incurring unfair penalties, says the Australian Council of Social Service. Read more

Recent Policy Papers

ACOSS Conference Papers - Day 1 Read more

ACOSSConference Papers - Day 2 Read more

ACOSS Federal Budget Submission 2009-10: Social Inclusion and Economic Security

In this submission to the Australian Treasury, ACOSS outlines policy recommendations for consideration by the Federal Government in its 2009-10 Budget to increase social inclusion at a time of economic uncertainty.

Submission to the Taxation Review Panel

Adequate, fair, sustainable, and simple: Retirement incomes reform

Submission to the Taxation Review Panel

Strong foundations: Reforming thetax and social security systems

Who is missing out? Hardship among low income Australians

This report uses recent research, including previously unpublished data, to compare living standards and financial hardship among different groups of low income Australians, especially those receiving income support payments. It is a contribution to the public debate over the adequacy of these payments, and the design of a better social security system. Read more

Towards an effective and fair response to climate change

The Southern Cross Climate Coalition (SCCC) has been formed by some of Australia’s leading social, union, environmental and independent research organisations to help lead an effective and fair response to climate change. Read more

News

ACOSS Factsheet: Changes to family payments will increase child poverty

Proposed changes to the Family Tax Benefit from the 2009 Budget will mean a loss of income over time for families who can least afford it. This will almost inevitably lead to an increase in child poverty.

ACOSS is concerned that low income families who can least bear the cost will in this way be made to pay the price of the pension increase. Read the Factsheet.

ACOSS welcomes new President David Thompson
The ACOSS Board is pleased to welcome David Thompson as ACOSS President. Read more

Events

Water Reform – A National Consumer Forum, July 3 2009. Click here for more information.

Media Releases

Appeal to Lift Living Standards of Sole Parent Pensioners

ACOSS has warned that 360,000 of the poorest families in Australia will be left behind by legislation before a Senate Committee which increases payments for age, disability and carer pensioners but which fails to include sole parent pensioners. Read more

Ramp up Help for Long Term Jobseekers
The Government has announced welcome initiatives to sustain and maintain jobs through the $300 million to assist newly retrenched workers, and nation building infrastructure projects such as $6billion for public housing, $14.7 billion for school upgrades and the home insulation rebates.

While newly unemployed people have received assistance, ACOSS is calling on the Government to provide more help for long term jobseekers.

Community Services Forced to Turn Away Needy: Survey

4 June 2009
Community services organisations provided assistance to over 3.1 million clients last financial year, a new report has revealed. Some services are at breaking point and were forced to turn away a quarter of people needing child welfare, youth or housing services.

Downturn Leads to Spike in Homelessness

28 May 2009

The economic downturn has put increased strain on homelessness services, underscoring the importance of the Government’s homelessness strategy and its commitments to halve homelessness and end rough sleeping by 2020. Read more

Mind the Gap: Report on Growing Inequity in Income Support
13 May 2009
Following the release of the Federal Budget, community sector organisations are increasingly concerned that gaps between income support payments are widening and there is now a four-class system of income support. There is a $147 per week gap between the top and bottom income support payments.
Read more

Budget 09/10: Targeted for Job Creation but Bypasses Most Disadvantaged
12 May 2009
The Australian Council of Social Service welcomes announcements in the Budget to increase payments for single pensioners and the better targeting of expenditure including tightening of super tax breaks, pension taper rates and the private health insurance rebate. Read more

Groups Unite to Call for Pension Boost for Sole Parents

5 May 2009

Pensioner and welfare groups have joined forces to call on the Government to lift the single pension rate for all pensioners and unemployed people in the Budget. Read more

Charities Report Sole Parents and Unemployed in Urgent Financial Need

28 May 2009 Read more

Flexibility Key to Learn or Earn Compact

1 May 2009 Read more