Wednesday 5 July 2022 - NAIDOC Week

Community Contributions

Early Childhood Australia (ECA) welcomes the federal government's initiative to streamline support for families and early learning services during emergencies. Ensuring that emergency support measures are available as soon as they are needed provides practical assistance to families with young children and supports the stability of services. These measures are particularly important given the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters. Click here to learn more.

The Department of Social Services (DSS) is seeking views about a new draft National Disability Advocacy Framework. The Framework updates the original National Disability Advocacy Framework which was endorsed in 2012. Click here to engage.

The National Employment Services Association (NESA) says First Nations people are being left out of record low unemployment figures. Last week the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data reported unemployment remained at a record low 3.9% in May. NESA senior policy advisor Alicia Weiderman said many First Nations people had historically been excluded from statistical analysis such as employment figures. Click to read more.

Consumers Health Forum supports the call from the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) and others to expand access to anti-virals beyond the current restrictions and restore funding for home delivery of medicines. Click here to read the full statement.

Community Conversations

NAIDOC Week 2022 

National NAIDOC Week celebrates and recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

This year's theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! Whether it’s seeking proper environmental, cultural and heritage protections, Constitutional change, a comprehensive process of truth-telling, working towards treaties, or calling out racism— it must be done together.

Click here to learn more about this year's theme and to get involved

Mixed bag for children in latest Closing the Gap data

The latest data on Closing the Gap outcomes shows a mixed result in terms of reaching targets for children and young people.

Data released by the Productivity Commission shows two of three targets are on track, but the number of children starting formal schooling years assessed as being developmentally on track has declined alarmingly. SNAICC CEO Catherine Liddle said it was heartening to see more children enrolled in early years education at a rate exceeding their non-Indigenous peers.

The Productivity Commission data shows that in 2021, 96.7 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were enrolled in preschool programs for the year before school. “While this is excellent news, its very concerning to see the numbers of children starting formal schooling years assessed as being developmentally on track decrease markedly” Ms Liddle said.

Click here to learn more

Blueprint to close Australia’s digital divide

1 in 4 Australians do not have the essential digital skills or affordable access to digital devices they need to keep up in today’s society. This can have a huge impact on a person’s life — from poorer health outcomes and employment prospects, to increased social isolation and risk of exacerbating existing poverty and inequality.

As government services move increasingly online and Australia transitions to a digital economy, no one should be left behind. To prevent widening social inequality and create an inclusive society, the digital divide must be closed.

Good Things Foundations have established a Blueprint which sets out key recommendations and priorities to ensure all Australians are digitally included.

Click here to learn more
 

Community Sector Events

  • Media Spokesperson Training is a two-day program for change makers working on issues connected to economic justice. This training provides the vital media communications skills to maximise campaign success including media theory, practical interview simulations, a deep-dive into the media landscape, practical case studies, building compelling frames and developing effective media strategies. Upon completion participants have the opportunity to join the Economic Media Centre’s Spokesperson Network - 31 August 2022 - Click here to learn more and to register
  • The Community Colleges Australia (CCA) Annual Conference returns to Sydney for an in-person event promising an inventive and invigorating two days of expert presenters, challenging panel discussions, and stimulating adult and community education (ACE) specialists - 13 &14 September 2022 - Click here to learn more and register

Community Sector Resources

  • The Older Person’s Advocacy Network (OPAN) has launched new educational materials as part of their #ReadytoListen campaign, which is aimed at raising awareness and stamping out the sexual abuse of older people. The MAP (Myths, Facts and Practical Strategies) Report resource is a policy framework outlining 10 ways in which residential aged care service providers can improve their responses to – and prevent – sexual assault. Click here to read the guidelines.

  • Trauma and adverse childhood experiences – like extreme poverty, abuse, neglect or witnessing violence – are common. In the absence of support, it can disrupt children’s healthy development and increase their risk for health and mental health difficulties now and in the future. 

    Emerging Minds has developed a suite of free online learning courses and resources to assist different practitioners – from students and volunteers through to specialist practitioners – to understand and support children and families who have experienced trauma. Click here to access the resources.

COSS Corner

The latest news from State and Territory Councils of Social Service

SACOSS has stressed the need for retailers to assist customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills, following a recent Federal Court decision to impose record penalties in proceedings brought by the Australian Energy Regulator for a retailer failing to comply with their obligations to protect customers facing hardship when using automated processes. SA energy consumers can find some useful tips and information about their rights here.

This fortnight, ACTCOSS joined with other community organisations in welcoming recommendations that the ACT Government enact the terms of the No Rights Without Remedy petition. ACTCOSS called on the ACT Government to permanently increase the Utilities Concession in 2022-23 as Canberrans face higher utilities bills. ACTCOSS also welcomed the ACT Government's announcement of a 4.43% increase in funding for the ACT's community sector for the year 2022/23.

WACOSS launched the WA Digital Inclusion Project, which is a collaboration of 25 partners – including Government, leading community service organisations, and NBN Co - that aims to build the digital capability of frontline community service workers and vulnerable people, together with their communities. It's anticipated the project will run over three years, and in the hopes to assist 100,000 people in metro Perth and several regional centres across the state.

The latest Report of the Auditor-General highlights a glaring lack of action on closing the digital divide from the Tasmanian Government, despite continued warnings from TasCOSS, community groups and industry that Tasmania must lift off the bottom of the Australian Digital Inclusion Index (ADII) by improving our digital access, affordability and skills. The 65,000 Tasmanians who are unable to participate online deserve better. Read TasCOSS’s full response.

QCOSS: The United Nations has determined that everyone should be entitled to have access to sufficient, safe, physically accessible and affordable water. But what does this mean in practice? In Queensland, a right to water is not enshrined in the Human Rights Act 2019 and the end user is often excluded from accessing potential hardship provisions. QCOSS is hosting a free webinar with Tenants Queensland, exploring how community service organisations can best support tenants’ access to the essential service of water. Register here.

VCOSS is pleased to confirm community sector organisations funded by the departments of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and Health will receive 4.6% funding indexation for 2022-23. This increase to current funding is designed to help services meet rising costs. The breakthrough comes after extensive discussions between VCOSS as the community sector peak, Treasurer Tim Pallas, Minister Colin Brooks and their staff. It follows the recent Fair Work Commission decision to raise the minimum award wage. Click here to learn more.

NTCOSS met with Hon Dr Anne Aly, Minister for Education and Youth of Australia, who is committed to including young Territorians voices in all legislative and policy decisions. NTCOSS has launched Youth Voice NT to help amplify the voices of young Territorians. Click here to learn more.

The NSW Budget has failed those most in need. NCOSS CEO Joanna Quilty said that the big spending budget includes some positive reform initiatives, but overall, the Budget fails those struggling the most and misses an opportunity to support the largely female social services sector. Read more here.

Members in the Media

Artists fear new job assistance program

Jeremy Paxon, spokesperson, Australian Unemployed Workers Union featured

Listen here

Food banks facing unprecedented demand

Brianna Casey, the CEO of Foodbank Australia featured

Listen here

I’m struggling to see way forward on recognition

NACCHO CEO, Pat Turner AM featured

Read here
 

Feature Tweet

Happy @naidocweek you mob! This week and every week we get up, stand up and show up for First Nations justice. We call on our allies to stand with us.
No pride in genocide!
Stop stealing our kids!
Black lives matter!
Health care! Land rights! #RaiseTheAge! pic.twitter.com/OHhbS9tw63

— Change the Record (@Change_Record) July 3, 2022
Click here to see full tweet
 

We respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the country on which we work, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

We recognise the right of all First Peoples around the country to self-determination.

Please consider the environment before printing this email.

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