A deadly yet entirely preventable heart disease taking the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is finally on the verge of elimination thanks to new research. 

CHOICE has analysed thousands of policies and found that many of the biggest health funds are selling some policies that offer terrible value for customers. Read more.

October is Mental Health Month and as part of the 2020 World Mental Health Day campaign, Mental Health Australia is encouraging everyone to make a promise to "Look after your mental health, Australia."

Save the Children has renewed its call for greater support for children affected by bushfires and other disasters following the release of a new report on displacement during the Black Summer fires.

Pat Turner, AM CEO NACCHO and Lead Convenor of the Coalition of Peaks addressed the National Press Club with the speech: The Long Cry of Indigenous Peoples to be heard - a defining moment in Australia. Read the transcript.

Since March 2020 the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Community Foods team have packed and delivered an incredible 11,332 (and counting) culturally appropriate food packs for people seeking asylum who need extra support right now. Click here to see what items are still most needed.

Anti-Poverty Week is the week following the Budget (11-17 October). This year the week is focusing on the #EverybodysHome and #RaisetheRateforGood campaigns. For a complete list of events taking place, including state, territory and local events, please click the link below.

The unique experiences and challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people have been revealed in Mission Australia’s new National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Youth Report: Youth Survey 2019.

In response to the report findings, Mission Australia has joined forces with Professor Tom Calma AO to call for more culturally and age appropriate support services co-designed and delivered with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, as well as more social and affordable homes, so they are properly supported to improve their social and emotional wellbeing, achieve their goals and thrive.

The Smith Family has launched a new podcast ahead of Anti-Poverty Week 2020. With one in six Australian children and young people living in disadvantage even before the outbreak of COVID-19, Breaking Poverty explores the challenges of poverty and how education offers a lasting solution to the problem. The two-episodes feature the voices of young people and their families who share their unique and inspiring stories. Subscribe to Breaking Poverty via the button below, or where you listen to podcasts. Then listen, review and share amongst your networks. #BreakingPoverty

At a time when mental health and wellbeing has never been more important, Australia Post and Beyond Blue have formed a national partnership to help Australians stay mentally well and build stronger, more connected communities. The partnership seeks to make mental health and wellbeing part of everyday conversations and connect people to the support and information available through Beyond Blue.

McKinsey is offering a suite of one-day programs for leaders of purpose led organisations in order to prepare them for the challenge of leading successfully. McKinsey invite organisations to nominate seasoned and rising leaders for our upcoming programs:

1. INSPIRE | Manage teams with resilience and self-awareness. Designed for rising leaders. We’re looking for 5-10 participants per organisation for a one day virtual program to be held on Friday 30 October.
2. Mission Delivery | Grow strategic capacity to deliver your mission effectively and sustainably. Designed for seasoned leaders. We’re looking for 2-3 nominations per organisation for a one day virtual program to be held on Friday 16 October.

These programs are offered on a fee-waived basis to leaders currently working in a purpose led organisation. 

• Professor Megan Davis will deliver CPD's third John Menadue Oration - speaking on the theme: ‘Can Australia Deliver?’ The event will take a big picture view of 2020, encompassing our COVID-19 response, the increased spotlight on Indigenous incarceration, and the future of the Uluru Statement from the Heart - 15 October 2020 - Click here for information

• The Measuring Australia's digital divide: Australian Digital Inclusion Index 2020 launch will showcase the fifth year of findings of the Australian Digital Inclusion Index - a national measure of digital inclusion - 22 October 2020 - Click here to register

• Acquiring Donors Online - the Evolution of 2 step lead gen teaches organisations how to evolve digital fundraising and donor acquisition strategies - 27 October 2020 - Register here

• Join Tanya Plibersek, Tim Soutphommasane, Adrian Pisarski, and Verity Firth in imagining a better Australia, with a stronger economy, a fairer society, and a more environmentally sustainable future in UTS Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion 'Upturn: A better normal after COVID-19' webinar - 5 November 2020 - Register here

• Researchers have helped develop national guidelines to minimise healthcare workers’ risk of acquiring and spreading infection while examining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients with respiratory symptoms. Read the guidelines.

• Australian Unemployed Workers Union has prepared a set of graphics and other resources to provide clear information about current rules with resumption of Mutual Obligations. Click here for the overview.

• Australian Progress launched a new economics resources hub - bringing together recent reports, research, articles and webinars - to help support your work to secure major economic reform and policy decisions in favour of government spending on people, public services and sustainable industries. Click here for hub access.

• The Disability Information Helpline provides information and referrals for people with disability who need help because of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Helpline can assist families, carers, support workers and services. The Disability Information Helpline is free, private and fact-checked. Phone: 1800 643 787 (If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can also call the National Relay Service on 133 677). 
  

Brianna Casey, Foodbank Australia CEO, and Kasy Chambers, Anglicare Executive Director discuss JobSeeker supplement changes and impacts on people currently receiving these payments.

Senior Aboriginal leader Pat Turner (NACCHO) is warning the government its process for designing an Aboriginal Voice is at risk of failure.

Joseph Borlagden, principal research fellow, Brotherhood of St Laurence, discusses the budget's potential focus on youth.

“This Budget makes the lives of rich people easier while poor people feel the brunt of again being left behind by the Government” - @NeritaWaight #Budget2020https://t.co/vIr5wKsWTv

— NATSILS (@NATSILS_) October 6, 2020