ACOSS Reports & Submissions
Each year ACOSS prepares numerous submissions to the Federal Government. We also undertake research and produce reports on policy areas that impact disadvantaged Australians. The latest ACOSS submissions and topical papers appear below as downloadable links.
Most recent papers
May 2011
This initial ACOSS briefing on the 2011-12 Federal Budget outlines key measures announced in the Budget in areas of interest to ACOSS members, to assist members in their work. This briefing does not offer extensive comment on the merit or otherwise of these measures.
This paper outlines the measures firstly by providing a general background on Budget revenue and expenses. This is followed by an outline of key measures in each of ACOSS' major policy areas: income support; health; mental health; community services; climate change and energy; housing and homelessness; indigenous policy; taxation; and employment, education and training.
The detailed Government Budget papers can be found online at www.budget.gov.au.
May 2011
The Southern Cross Climate Coalition (SCCC) is an alliance of the Australian Conservation Foundation, the
Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Australian Council of Social Service and The Climate Institute. We
are committed to reducing our economy's dependence on carbon pollution and promoting solutions to
climate change.
Over the coming months Australia's political leaders have an opportunity to lay the policy foundations for a
prosperous, fair and competitive low pollution economy. These policies should aim to:
- reduce our economy's dependence on pollution;
- ensure fair and inclusive action on climate change;
- unlock new clean energy jobs and industries; and
- strengthen global action.
May 2011
This paper aims to move beyond the myths and stereotypes to take a closer look at who these two million people are and why it is that many have not found paid work, despite falling unemployment levels.
May 2011
ACOSS has argued for many years that family payments for teenagers aged 16 years and over are too low to enable low-income families to meet the rising cost of raising older children. ACOSS therefore supports the Government's intention to raise the Family Tax Benefit for older teenagers, but is concerned some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable young Australians will miss out on proposed increases. The inflexibility of current participation requirements applied to Family Tax Benefit recipients means that up to 15,000 early school leavers may be deprived of a much needed increase in family assistance.
Read more>>
April 2011
Social security legislation amendment (job seeker compliance) Bill 2011
The Bill, if passed, would bring forward penalties for unemployed people who do not attend appointments with Centrelink or employment service providers. Instead of warning a jobseeker on the first occasion they fail to attend an appointment and rescheduling the appointment, Centrelink will suspend their income support until they make contact and agree to attend a rescheduled appointment.
April 2011
ACOSS strongly supports the proposal to put a price on carbon pollution and has released this paper to outline our clear position on the form household compensation should take as part of our involvement in the important process to get the mechanism right. This paper argues that low income households should be given direct cash assistance that is properly indexed to meet real cost of living increases, and this should be based on essential expenditure not income because of the inequities in Australia's tax and transfer systems.
April 2011
Under proposed legislation, the compliance system will be amended to bring forward penalties for unemployed people who do attend appointments with Centrelink or employment service providers. If passed, this Bill will substantially increase the number of times that unemployed people are penalised or have their payments suspended for not attending appointments.
This submission gives our assessment of the proposed changes to the compliance system. ACOSS does not believe a strong enough case has been made for these changes, and recommends that the Bill be opposed.
April 2011
Recommendations for the Federal Budget 2011-12
In this submission, ACOSS outlines policy recommendations for consideration by the Federal Government in its 2011-12 Budget. These recommendations allow the Government to continue its vital funding for social security payments; for social and community services to alleviate the effects of poverty and its consequent social exclusion; and to prioritise the expenditure of public funds in the context of the recent flood disasters and its impact upon revenue.
February 2011
ACOSS' submission on a national regulator argues strongly for an independent body to streamline reporting and information about not-for-profit organisations. We set out key principles and function of the regulator, and call for full and effective consultation on detailed plans for a regulator with not-for-profit organisations. This submission was prepared in response to a Treasury Scoping Study.
February 2011
ACOSS welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission on the design of the second round of Job Services Australia from 2012-15.
Effective employment services are a foundation stone of social inclusion policies. Without them, many people in Australia would languish on income support for prolonged periods because they are unable to secure a paid job despite their best efforts.
