ACOSS Reports & Submissions
Poverty & Social Inclusion
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.
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.
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.
October 2010
This factsheet has the most up-to-date statistics on poverty in Australia, including the on-going effects of the Global Financial Crisis. The five causes of poverty include inequalities in work and income, education, housing, health and services. There are recommendations on how poverty can be reduced.
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.
July 2010
More than one in three Australians delay or avoid dental treatment because they can't afford it and increasing numbers of people are sitting on long waiting lists for public dental care.
In this statement, the National Oral Health Alliance calls for more affordable and timely dental services, particularly for low-income Australians who are mostly likely to suffer from poor oral health.
June 2009
ACOSS supports the enactment of a national human rights act to improve the level of human rights protection in Australia. A national act must include economic, social and cultural rights in addition to civil and political rights in recognition of the inter-dependence of rights and the vulnerability of low income Australians to human rights infringements.
December 2008
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.
It compares the living standards and well being of low income households within each of these groups using three yardsticks: deprivation of essential items (such as a decent and secure home and access to dental treatment), income poverty, and budget standards.
October 2008
In October 2008, ACOSS held a seminar in Sydney on ‘Three dimensions of social inclusion' to help inform our policy development in this area.
Participants included ACOSS member organisations, representatives from relevant Government Departments, and academic experts.
August 2008
This discussion paper is intended to provide information about current processes and directions for reform of Commonwealth/State relations and to identify reform opportunities which will benefit low income and disadvantaged people. The paper has been written to assist in gaining the views of the community services and welfare sector on desirable directions for reform of Commonwealth/State relations which can then be used to help influence the reform process at various levels of government - Commonwealth, State/Territory and Local Government. This is a working document for the sector to use and provide feedback on and will form part of a wider consultation process with the sector.
