ACOSS Reports & Submissions
Community Services
January 2012
In this submission, ACOSS outlines policy recommendations for consideration by the Federal Government in its 2012-13 Budget. The submission aims to resolve the tension between the Govern-ment’s commitment to restore the Budget to surplus from 2012-13 and the urgency of social and economic needs not yet met, of key social and economic reforms not yet completed.
Our priority for the 2012-13 Federal Budget remains to ensure that no person is excluded from the benefits of economic growth and prosperity and from the opportunity to fully participate in society. Some of the policy building blocks to meet this goal have been laid, including the commitment to introduce a National Disability Insurance Scheme, the emerging policy focus on employment participation for people excluded from the labour market, and last year’s mental health reform package.
August 2011
This submission is based on the COSS networks analyses of the implications of work valuation, workforce challenges, government contracting policies and funding arrangements, and the introduction of the modern award on community services in Australia.
THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE UNDERVALUATION OF WORK PERFORMED IN THE COMMUNITY SECTOR IS REFERABLE TO GENDER
Fair Work Australia's interim decision (16 May 2011)
1. The COSSes congratulate FWA on the finding that for employees in the community sector there is not equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal or comparable value by comparison with state and local government employment.
2. The COSSes agree with FWA that undervaluation of the work performed in the SACS-covered sector is the result of a combination of factors.
3. The COSSes agree with FWA's conclusion that employers in the community sector
...value the work of their employees and would like to attract and retain the best employees possible and reward them on a fair basis given the work they perform and wages paid in the community.
4. The COSSes urge FWA to set rates which properly value the work of the community sector. We consider this a necessary step towards resolving the gender related undervaluation that exists in the funding and contracting arrangements between governments and the sector.
5. FWA sought submissions from the parties on the extent to which we consider,
...wage rates in the SACS industry are lower than they would otherwise be because of gender considerations, including how the amount of the gender related undervaluation of the work of the classifications in the industry should be calculated and concrete estimates of that gender related undervaluation.
June 2011
This is the ACOSS submission to the Australian Tax Office's Draft Taxation Ruling TR 2011/D2 (Draft Taxation Ruling). ACOSS has detailed our position on the need for charitable tax law reform and the need for improved regulation for the not-for-profit sector in many of our submissions including those to the Productivity Commission's Inquiry into the contribution of the not-for-profit. ACOSS supports the view that the Draft Tax Ruling upholds the High Court decision regarding Aid/Watch v Tax Commissioner. ACOSS believes that the High Court decision and the subsequent draft Taxation Ruling has overturned outdated restrictions concerning the advocacy activities of charities and presents a clearer way forward for the not-for-profit sector.
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.
February 2011
In this submission the Councils of Social Service in Australia endorse the Productivity Commission's finding that public health and consumer protection frameworks provide the best basis for coherent and effective gambling policies. We express our support for a universal and mandatory pre-commitment scheme as a key measure of consumer protection. The COSS network is also clear that pre-commitment is only one of a number of interventions in the gambling environment required to minimise harm from gambling. The submission goes on to discuss alternatives for harm minimisation.
August 2010
ACOSS has coordinated a submission on behalf of the COSS network to the Productivity Commission's inquiry into a long-term disability care and support scheme. Given the range of disability and carer organisations involved in the inquiry and their expertise on the lived experience of disability and care work, the COSS submission focuses on the details of the scheme. We advocate keeping the scheme separate from existing social security provisions such as payments for people with disability and for carers. We also advocate maintaining the scheme distinctly from other service systems, notably aged care, in order to ensure its sustainability and focus.
August 2010
ACOSS has been leading the campaign for equal pay within the community and social services sector. This statement was given to Fair Work Australia in August 2010 and outlines the secotr position on the importance of equal pay and this test case.
August 2010
ACOSS' Election Platform outlines key priorities to build a fair Australia which ensures people on low incomes are not excluded because of social or economic disadvantage. We are calling for commitments from our political leaders on issues including: Work and income support; Affordable Housing; Oral health; Indigenous; Tax; Climate change; and measures to Strengthen the Community Sector.
April 2010
This submission has been informed by targeted consultations with our members and stakeholders, as well as many years of experience advocating on behalf of those most affected by problem gambling. Our members work closely with individuals, families and communities affected by problem gambling and are at the forefront of efforts to address gambling related harm around the country.
April 2010
Equal remuneration case for social and community service (SACS) workers
ACOSS has established an Employer Reference Group as a working group for the not-for-profit social service sector comprising employer organisations, peak representative bodies and unions involved in the equal remuneration case for SACS workers. Its objectives are to facilitate communication and collaboration across the sector through the lifetime of the case and the campaign for funding of any wage increases. It provides a focus for sector organisations to develop strategies and messages in relation to the campaign for funding; and through which to be apprised of developments and provide input into the case. ACOSS will be communicating regularly with our members as the campaign for funding develops.
