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We are committed to providing the WA community services sector with crucial information and high level resources as necessary, until the pandemic subsides.
Content from these updates will be posted on the Community Services Resource page on the WACOSS website.
BLACK LIVES MATTER
The following details may be distressing for some readers. Discretion is advised.
Over the last week we have seen a public outpouring across the world of support, rage and solidarity with the family of George Floyd, a man killed by police officers in the US. But this isn’t unique to the US. In Australia, there have been 432 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people die in custody, since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody report was handed down in 1991.
In Perth, on Whadjuk Noongar Boodja land, Noongar people are the most incarcerated people on earth. Moreover;
- Young Aboriginal people are 26 times more likely to be detained, rather than cautioned.
- 64% of Aboriginal women imprisoned is for unpaid fines.
- Aboriginal people represent 38% of Australia's prison population, yet they represent just 3% of the total population.
- 70% of young people imprisoned in WA's juvenile detention system are Aboriginal children.
(These have been taken from the Social Reinvestment WA website.)
We know that there is systemic racism and discrimination in our systems, and ongoing intergenerational trauma and disadvantage. Lands were stolen, wages were stolen, children were removed from families.
What can I do?
Centre Aboriginal voices, join campaigns, speak to members of parliament, research, reflect, support, attend a rally (FYI - there is one in Perth this weekend), share information with people around you. Find more about specific causes to follow, where you can donate, content to read, and how to get involved and stop the horrific and ongoing treatment of First Nations people.
Read more from Social Reinvestment WA, an alliance specifically dedicated to addressing the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the justice system.
Aboriginal Lives Matter.
Black Lives Matter.
STATE GOVERNMENT UPDATES
The Department of Health has announced a major expansion to the groups eligible to participate in the DETECT snapshot program. Until Wednesday 10 June, people who are asymptomatic, aged over 18 years, and work in a frontline capacity can undergo a swab for the virus. Workers from the community service sector can present for a swab at one of the clinics with proof of employment in the form of a letter and/or identification card from their employer.
Today the McGowan Government has released details about the Housing First Homelessness Initiative in Bunbury, to provide rough sleepers with stable housing and support.
The Premier has today announced that the Kimberley will reopen on Friday 5 June for visitors and tourists, however access to remote Aboriginal communities remains closed.
COVID-19 ADVOCACY
ACOSS has today called out the Federal Government's plan to provide large grants to home builders and renovators "wrong and risky" and as a wasted opportunity to address social housing repairs and the shortfall of social housing stock. In a media release today Cassandra Goldie said that "We are in a recession, with more and more people struggling to pay rent, which will only lead to greater homelessness".
SECTOR UPDATES
Members from the State Recovery Advisory Group with gather next week for their inaugural meeting, to discuss strategy across the recovery areas of health, economic and infrastructure, social, industry and regional WA, - from COVID-19. WACOSS has been appointed to the advisory group, and is joined by other community peak bodies Shelter WA, YACWA, and the Women's Council.
Foundation Housing is keen to hear from the owners of rental properties in Fremantle and surrounding areas for the 20 Lives 20 Homes Fremantle project. One and two bedroom units are sought for the program which aims to house people in need from the area so they can be supported to stabilise their lives. Interested property owners should contact Kylie at Foundation Housing at [email protected] or phone 9422 0733.
OTHER NEWS
Social Reinvestment WA is hiring a Project Officer to work on justice reform, and to end the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in WA's justice system. Read the job description.
On Sunday 13 June Social Reinvestment is launching Season 2 of Stories from the Inside, a podcast and campaign to raise awareness of the ways that our justice system fails people who are vulnerable. Subscribe and listen to Season 1.
RESOURCES AND INFORMATION
Anglicare WA has developed a resource highlighting the importance of the Jobseeker and Coronavirus supplement, and why the Government needs to permanently increase the base rate of JobSeeker. Read and download the fact sheet.
The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) and the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) are holding an online launch of our Gender Equity Insights 2020: Delivering the Business Outcomes report. The event is free, but registrations are essential.
In May, Linkwest undertook a survey of its member's and network's response to the COVID-19 crisis. Here are some of the survey results.
Kilfinan is offering executive mentoring for NFP CEOs. Mentors are established leaders in the public and private sector, donating their time and service to mentees. Read more.
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