A new UNICEF report has revealed Australia has fallen to be ranked 32nd of 40 OECD countries for child wellbeing, with the pandemic creating urgency to prepare for the future. Read more here.

Groundswell Giving has opened another new grant round for climate advocacy project funding. Click here to apply, 12 Oct deadline for applications.

In National Child Protection Week 1000+ teachers, parents and students signed a statement calling for support for families seeking asylum - 16,000 children from these families are currently at risk of homelessness, as many evictions moratoriums come to an end this month. Read the open statement.

32 health groups released a joint statement calling on the federal government to address climate change in the National Preventive Health Strategy, which is currently in development. Read the statement.

Recent reports and a new book share critical messages for addressing systemic failures that are harming Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Read full story by Associate Professor Megan Williams, Wiradjuri scholar from University of Sydney.

New data reveals Australia could start beating the recession by investing in social housing construction, with more than 12,500 new affordable homes ready to be built across the country if a Federal stimulus package is included in the budget. Read more.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (NATSILS) is calling for urgent national leadership and action, with the devastating news of Aunty Sherry Fisher’s death in custody last week.
She was a 49-year-old Aboriginal woman who died in the Brisbane Watchhouse while on remand. There have now been five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody since June 2020 and 441 since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody was handed down in 1991.

“Our people are dying in custody every few weeks - this is a national emergency and we demand urgent national leadership. Five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have died in custody since June.
There are multiple coronials on foot and two police charged with murder for fatal shootings. This cycle of violence, neglect and avoidance of accountability of Police and Corrections must end, before more of
our people die,” said Nerita Waight, co-chair of NATSILS.

An alliance of aged care consumer and carer groups today outlined their shared vision for aged care. It comes at a time when the aged care system has never been under such intense scrutiny and pressure. Failures have been exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and through the Aged Care Royal Commission, which this week concluded its last scheduled hearings.

The alliance includes Carers Australia, COTA Australia, Dementia Australia, the Federation of Ethnic Communities Council of Australia, National Seniors Australia and the Older Persons Advocacy Network.

The 10 shared principles will help all older Australians get the support they choose, when and where they need it and be treated with dignity and respect, by an aged care workforce that is trained and equipped to provide the standard of care older Australians and their families expect and deserve.

A July 2020 survey of more than 6,000 international students and visa holders in Australia revealed 70% lost all or most of their work during the pandemic. Thousands have been left unable to pay for food and rent, having been categorically excluded from government wage subsidy schemes. More than half the respondents (57%) believe their financial stress will deepen by year’s end, with one in three international students forecasting their funds will run out by October. 

This is the first study to reveal the depth of social exclusion, racism and deeper emotional consequences of Australia’s policies, which have significantly impacted Australia’s global reputation. Three in five international students and backpackers are now less likely to recommend Australia as a place for study and travel, based on their treatment during COVID-19. The findings indicate potential long-term economic and diplomatic consequences of current government policies which are at odds with those of other similar countries such as the UK that have included temporary migrants in wage subsidies. The report also contains detailed findings on increased prevalence of racism against Chinese and other Asian migrants during the pandemic.

Children and young people living in residential out of home care are at significant risk of experiencing child sexual abuse, but a groundbreaking Australian program has identified strategies to recognise and intervene early when they are the targets of harmful sexual behaviour, child sexual exploitation and dating violence.

Designed and implemented by MacKillop Family Services (MacKillop) in partnership with the University of Melbourne, the evaluation of the Power to Kids: Respecting Sexual Safety pilot was launched on Tuesday 8 September by the Minister for Child Protection, the Hon. Luke Donnellan, Liana Buchanan, Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People, and representatives from MacKillop and the University of Melbourne.

• The National Youth Disability Summit is an innovative online conference, designed by and for young people with disability. Over 5 days, young people with disability from around Australia are invited to join the Co-Design Committee to connect, to learn, to listen and to discuss - 29 September - 3 October 2020 - Click here for more info

• The National Rural Women’s Coalition (NRWC) and Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) present The Rural Women with Disability COVID-19 Webinar - 14 October 2020 - Read more and register here

• Australian Public Health Conference 2020 will now be hosted as an online virtual Conference, addressing Public Health action: Response to bushfires, climate and coronavirus - 19 - 30 October 2020 - Click here for more information and to register

• Energy Efficiency Council, Australia's peak body for energy management, energy efficiency and demand response, will deliver the 11th National Energy Efficiency Conference as a 3-day virtual conference - 24 - 26 November 2020 - Click for more info and registration here

• Refugee Council of Australia are gathering registrations for 2021 Refugee Alternatives Conference - 6 - 7 July 2021 - Read more and register interest here
  

• Life Without Barriers list the ways they are supporting front-line workers during the coronavirus pandemic, including regular temperature checks and advanced infection control. Read here for more helpful tips to implement.

• Mind Australia lists many resources that can help people understand what's going on with their mental health, and how to work to improve it. They have compiled an extensive list which includes both Mind Australia resources and links to other organisations. Click here for more information.

• The Salvation Army's Moneycare team have developed a list of tips and resources providing helpful advice on how to manage finances through the turmoil of COVID-19 and beyond.These tips range from how to find a financial counsellor, and practical tips on what people can do to change their current circumstances. Read more here.

• Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand have developed several Fast Facts documents to help access important information across What we know about Victims of Violence, how Family Violence Affects Everyone, and The Cost of Violence Against Women.

"We need a mandate for school's to work with social services and also some accountability to make sure that we're getting the support to families and kids when they need it." Dr Kirsty Nowlan, Head of Advocacy, The Benevolent Society.

Terese Edwards, the chief executive of the National Council of Single Mothers and Their Children, said the $550-a-fortnight supplement had been “life-altering” and its reduction was causing “distress and fear”.

Toni Wren, the executive director of Anti-Poverty Week, said government data showed about 1.1 million children lived in families receiving the supplement in July.

Financial Counselling Australia CEO Fiona Guthrie says financial counsellors are concerned about a surge in new extremely worried clients.

Nominations for the HESTA Impact Awards close 1 November. Don’t miss your chance to recognise a great organisation that focuses on creating a better world to live in. https://t.co/u3pFKMMfvs#HESTAImpactAwards pic.twitter.com/P3BL7MbHqY

— HESTA (@HESTASuper) September 22, 2020