Federal ERO Supplementation Campaign Update from ACOSS
ACOSS and the COSS network are campaigning to ensure that the Federal Government continues to provide funding for equal pay when payments from the Social and Community Services Pay Equity Special Account are scheduled to stop in June 2021. The campaign has four elements to it:
- Continue engagement with the Minister for Families and Social Services and DSS: ACOSS is in active dialogue with the Minister about this issue. ACOSS regularly meets with Department of Social Service officers and continues to raise this issue with them.
- Shape the public debate on this issue (attracting media attention): The COSS Network has a big media push planned for Equal Pay Day (28 August 2020) where we intend to highlight in the media the consequences and impact of not renewing funding for equal pay.
- Directly lobbying the PM, Treasurer, Finance Minister and other cabinet ministers: ACOSS and the COSSes have met with the Treasurer and a range of other cabinet ministers and advisers and raised funding for equal pay with them, and have jointly written to the Prime Minister. We will continue to raise this issue during our engagement with these ministers.
- Highlighting the issue in our submission to the October budget: The Government has invited another round of submissions in the lead up to the October budget. ACOSS will be making a supplementary submission which includes a strong call for action on ERO.
- Mobilise members to take action on this issue: This is where you come in! It is vitally important that organisations in local communities raise this issue with their local members in the lead up to the October Budget. We need to see a commitment on funding for equal pay in the October Budget so that organisations have certainty as they prepare their budgets for 2021. That’s why the next few weeks are crucial, and why it is important that you take action now. For information about the issue, a template letter and other information you can check out ACOSS’ briefing note here.
For more information about the campaign, or to get involved, contact John Mikelsons, Senior Advisor (Community Services and Health), ACOSS, via [email protected].
WACOSS Community Sector Recovery Webinar Series
WACOSS is holding a series of webinars about key topics facing the community services sector in WA. The eight webinars will run weekly on Wednesdays at 1pm, and will be co-hosted with our partner organisations. We are inviting input and engagement from our members, and the broader community services sector, into our initial thinking about what an inclusive plan for recovery needs to look like for Western Australia in order to leave no one behind. One of the webinars includes the launch of the Food Stress Index, in Connecting to secure healthy food for all Western Australians: Food Stress Index – A world first, presented in partnership with Curtin University and the Public Health Advocacy Institute WA. Register for one or any number of the free webinars.
Join the Danjoo Koorliny Walking Together Social Impact Festival
This year's Danjoo Koorliny Social Impact Festival hosted by the Centre for Social Impact at UWA is fast approaching! The main event will be the Virtual Danjoo Koorliny Social Impact Summit.
Led by Aboriginal Elders and leaders who are offering their wisdom and guidance, the Festival invites organisations to be a part of walking together towards 2029 (200 years of colonisation in Perth) and beyond.
Join the Festival Opening Week key events between 3-9 August, especially the Virtual Summit (organisation options available), or make use of the tailored Organisation Package. For all event details visit: socialimpactfestival.org/festival/program-overview
State Government's strategy to reduce FDV
The State Government has launched a 10-year strategy to reduce and respond to family and domestic violence, with a long-term vision for a WA where all people live free from violence. Read and download Path to Safety: Western Australia's Strategy to Reduce Family and Domestic Violence 2020-2030.
Need help with your Annual Report? Get 10% off from DropIN
DropIN Solutions is a WACOSS social enterprise focused on providing professional graphic design, web and IT solutions, and marketing services for community service organisations. If you're looking for a professionally designed Annual Report to highlight your work, then this is the time to contact the DropIN Solutions team. Until the end of August you can get a 10% discount on all projects related to the design of reports, publications, brochures, flyers and booklets. Email Jaime at [email protected] or call 08 6381 5300 and explore the possibilities, and look at their portfolio of previous Annual Report here.
Have your say on the State Infrastructure Strategy
Infrastructure WA is currently in a period of consultation as part of its work on the State Infrastructure Strategy – the 20-year blueprint that will help to create a long-term approach to infrastructure planning and delivery in WA. Have your say on what your priorities are for long-term infrastructure in WA and find out why it's important.
New Free Youth Service at HQ in Leederville
Young people aged 12-25 can now access free services at the Y's iconic gig space, HQ in Leederville, and connect with qualified youth workers through a series of programs, events and drop-in facilities. Case workers will provide one-to-one tailored support, to help empower and build on a strengths based approach to help young people build up their support networks, tackle obstacles in their lives, and help them reach their goals.
HESTA Award nominations closing soon
Nominate someone now for the HESTA Excellence Awards, and recognise the exceptional achievements in a range of settings across aged care, allied health, community services and disability services. Nominations open until Sunday 2 August.
Changes to the way Consumer Protection administers Charities
In a recent announcement, there will be changes to the Charitable Collections Act 1946 (WA), to simplify the application and reporting requirements while removing duplication of compliance. In a memorandum of understanding between Consumer Protection and the Australian Charities and Nor-for-profits Commission, from the start of the 2020 financial year most WA charities that are registered with the ACNC no longer need to submit annual financial statements to both agencies, as the ACNC now shares that information and, if annual revenue is under $250,000, the accounts do not need to be audited or reviewed. To participate in this arrangement, eligible WA charities must provide their WA fundraising licence number when submitting their Annual Information Statement to the ACNC. Read more about these reforms, reporting exemptions, and financial reporting requirements.
Submission into the issue of food prices and food security in remote Indigenous communities
WACOSS made a submission, in collaboration with the Food Relief Planning Group, about the issue of food prices and food security in remote communities. The Inquiry will identify and report on factors that contribute to high prices and situations where prices are considered unreasonable, investigate whether there is price gouging in remote community stores, and should pay attention to the availability and pricing of fresh and healthy foods in remote community stores. Food is a human right, and everyone should have access to safe, nutritional food. This submission has built on existing research and reports - including the WA Food Relief Framework Report and the Food Stress Index, which predicts the likelihood of food stress by geographical location, and forms part of the recommendations to Governments to map and monitor the potential risk of food insecurity in remote communities.
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