Economic Justice Australia would like your support to ensure that the social security system is helping, not harming, those escaping family and domestic violence. To leave violence and find safety an independent source of income is essential, so social security reform is key. Click here for more information and to sign the letter.

Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) is excited to host a series of focus groups on how organisations around Australia can create safe environments for children and young people with disability. Click here for more information and to sign up.

Forcibly Displaced People Network has launched the first Australia-wide survey to capture the experiences of displacement and settlement for LGBTIQA+ forcibly displaced people. The aim is to collect comprehensive data and information about the experiences and barriers of LGBTIQA+ people seeking asylum, refugees, and migrants (including international students) from non-Western countries. The findings will be used to advocate for more welcoming and inclusive support. The survey is linked here.

A new strategy that aims to increase opportunities for ACCOs to deliver culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal children, families and communities has been launched in Fremantle. The 10-year strategy was developed by representatives from 11 ACCOs across the State, Department of Communities and the Department of Finance. Click here to learn more.

SBS Emerging Writers Competition is an initiative from SBS Voices, aiming to uncover bold new voices that reflect the diversity of contemporary Australia by inviting aspiring writers to share their stories and have their voices heard. Click here to learn more.

Ukrainian refugee Yurii Chuchenko and his heavily pregnant wife Inna arrived in Australia from Thailand after Russia invaded their homeland earlier this year. They have started new lives here with support from Settlement Services International and the local community. Click here to read more.

Today Better Renting launched the ‘Winter Renter Researchers’ report, Cold and Costly.

The report shares the experiences of more than 70 renters from across Australia over winter, with some startling findings: people are spending about 18 hours a day in Winter below the WHO recommended minimum indoor temperature of 18°C. With one chilly renter in Tasmania recording an upsetting 0.2°C inside their home.

This report highlights what the Healthy Homes for Renters campaign is fighting for, an end to frozen winters, with renters forced to choose between heating or eating.

On 4 August, in a national first, the Commonwealth Government received the #RaiseTheAge petition of over two hundred thousand Australians and reiterated its commitment to working with states and territories to keep very young children out of the criminal legal system. 

Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus and Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney met with representatives from Change the Record, human rights, legal and First Nations-led organisations who handed over 200,000 thousand signatures of Australians who want to see the age raised to at least 14 years old. 

On 9 August, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (IDWIP) was celebrated globally. This year’s theme: The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.

On IDWIP it is important to note that according to the Law Council of Australia (LCA) despite announcing support for the UN Declaration of Rights on Indigenous People (UNDRIP) in 2009, Australian governments and parliaments are yet to recognise and implement its standards in a formal and comprehensive way.

In June this year NACCHO provided a submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs into the application of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) in Australia. In their submission, NACCHO’s made nine recommendations. 

• Join the Climate Council as CEO Amanda McKenzie sits down for a live, one-on-one conversation with the Hon. Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy. The discussion will include the positive climate action already taken by the Albanese Government, as well as the policies and solutions that must be put in place for Australia to achieve deep emissions cuts by 2030, and avoid the worst impacts of climate change - Tonight 17 August 2022 - Click here to learn more and to register

• The Settlement Council of Australia (SCoA) is hosting 'Facilitating Digital Literacy and Inclusion in Communities', as part of SCoA's Settlement in Practice series which discusses best practice employment programs that support refugees and migrants across the country - 24 August 2022 - Click here to register

• Economic Justice Australia's Annual Conference is around the corner, with this year's theme ‘System Integrity for Economic Security’ - 30 August 2022 - Click here for program information and to register

• Last month, COVID-19 hit the island of Nauru hard, leaving refugees who have been confined to the off-shore detention centres in an even more vulnerable state, abandoned by the Government. Refugees trapped there have struggled to access necessities like food, medicine and clean water. Asylum Seeker Resource Centre have developed this resource to email your local MP now and demand that new Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil evacuate PNG and Nauru. Click here to access and learn more.

Foodbank featured

Toni Wren, Executive Director, Anti-Poverty Week featured

Mission Australia featured

We’re excited to share that @AYAC_ has received funding from the Minister for Youth Dr Anne Aly MP and the Australian Government which will ensure we can continue our work as the national voice and advocate for young people! pic.twitter.com/YlgVpcgfls

— AYAC (@AYAC_) August 11, 2022