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October 2020
The crisis triggered by COVID-19 has severely tested the effectiveness of our social security system. This issue of our Brotherhood Update features research that points to limitations of the present system and the need for strong, ongoing protections to prevent people falling into – or remaining trapped in – poverty.
it also includes a recent webinar on creating real employment opportunities for young people after COVID-19 and an upcoming one on families under stress.
Please share our Brotherhood Update with your colleagues and encourage them to subscribe.
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REPORT Supporting single mothers to build economic security
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Low-income single mothers continue to be trapped in poverty and uncertainty, with limited opportunities. Our study shows that reform is required in multiple domains – not only in family-friendly employment and flexible, affordable quality child care, but also in taxation, social security and child support policy.
Read the report by Dina Bowman & Seuwandi Wickramasinghe, Trampolines not traps: enabling economic security for single mothers and their children (738 KB)
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POLICY Budgeting for social cohesion
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Our pre-Budget submission to the federal Assistant Treasurer focused on social security reform. We believe that social security is a key investment in social cohesion and economic recovery and that adequate reliable income is the base for wellbeing.
Read the Joint pre-Budget submission (PDF, 282 KB) by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence; Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare; the Council of Single Mothers and their Children; and Grandparents Victoria / Grandparents Australia
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ARTICLE Strengthening financial capabilities by working together
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Low-income households in Australia face increased risks as the social security net frays, the labour market changes, incomes become more volatile and daily life becomes ‘financialised’.
Cases from a BSL study illustrate how these influences can limit financial capabilities. The authors argue that collective capabilities (based on the work of Sen and Nussbaum) can challenge structural conditions, and expand or protect the capabilities of individuals.
Read the article by Jeremiah Thomas Brown, Marcus Banks and Dina Bowman, 'From me to us: strengthening our financial capabilities' in Economic Papers: A Journal of Applied Economics and Policy.
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CAMPAIGNRepairing Australia’s income support safety net
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With more than 1.6 million people relying on unemployment payments, we’re calling on the Australian Government to maintain the Coronavirus Supplement at the current rate and ensure a permanent increase to the JobSeeker Payment.
Read more about our campaign and add your support
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WEBINARWEBINAR COVID-19 and young people’s transition to work
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How will the COVID-19 crisis impact young people’s transition from education to employment? What policymakers can do to create genuine opportunities and prevent the scarring effects of unemployment?
An expert panel explored these questions in a webinar hosted by the University of Melbourne in partnership with the Brotherhood of St. Laurence for Social Sciences Week 2020.
Watch the webinar Looking to the future: creating meaningful employment for young people after COVID-19
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