APRIL 2021

Welcome to the latest news from the BSL Research and Policy Centre (RPC).

It features our latest collaborative project which sheds light on the impact that investment in social security could have on child poverty poverty rates, and another that reveals the large number of Australians who need help to pay their rent because of low or volatile incomes. 

JobSeeker Payment rates, improved services for families and proposed changes to the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) and climate change action have been addressed in recent BSL policy submissions.

You can read more about our current work at www.bsl.org.au/research and also browse our policy submissions. 

Please share this Policy and Research Update with your colleagues and encourage them to subscribe.

WEBINAR

CAN WE END CHILD POVERTY IN OUR TIME?
Exploring new research on financial stress and poverty

Tuesday 27 April, 12 noon – 1.30 pm AEST

Panellists:

• Associate Professor Ben Phillips, Principal Research Fellow, Centre for Social Research and Methods, ANU
• Anne Hollonds, National Children’s Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission
• Angela Finch, social worker-in-training and parent to three children

Co-hosts:

• Dr Emily Porter, ANZ Tony Nicholson Research Fellow Work and Economic Security, Brotherhood of St. Laurence
• Emma Sydenham, Director of Early Childhood, Social Ventures Australia

RESEARCH: MAKING A DIFFERENCE TO POVERTY RATES

How prevalent is poverty and financial stress among Australian children and families, and what has been the impact of COVID-19? An ANU study commissioned by BSL and Social Ventures Australia shows that increased social security payments (the Coronavirus Supplement) made a big difference to many families. Lifting social security spending could yield strong, widespread benefits. 

Read the research brief by Social Ventures Australia and BSL, Making a difference to children and families in financial stress and poverty (PDF, 427 KB)

Read the detailed report by Ben Phillips & Vivikth Narayanan 2020, Financial stress and social security settings in Australia, ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, Australian National University, Canberra.

REPORT: HOW MANY AUSTRALIANS RECEIVE RENTAL ASSISTANCE?

More than five million Australians received Commonwealth Rent Assistance – a government payment to subsidise private rent – at some point between 2000 and 2017. New data shows that many households move on and off CRA as their circumstances change or incomes fluctuate, which may be associated with housing stress.

Read the AHURI report,  co-authored by the BSL's Dina Bowman, The utility of new data in understanding housing insecurity

POLICY: EARLY INTERVENTION MUST CONSIDER CHILD AND FAMILY

The NDIS review of the Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) Approach aims to ensure a better experience for young children and their families. BSL welcomes many of the proposed changes, but believes that assessment and supports must consider the child and the family, in line with best practice in early childhood services.

Read our Submission to NDIS consultation re Supporting young children and families early, to reach their full potential (PDF, 326 KB)

ARTICLE: FINANCIAL WELLBEING BEFORE COVID

Our project, Financial lives in uncertain times, is supported by ANZ through the ANZ Tony Nicholson Fellowship. The first report examined financial wellbeing in Australia across the two years before the COVID-19 crisis.

See Emily Porter’s article in ANZ Bluenotes, All in it together?

Catch up on the full report by Emily and Dina Bowman

POLICY SUBMISSIONS

​The Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) is a social justice organisation that works to prevent and alleviate poverty across Australia. You are receiving this email as you have previously subscribed to the BSL Research and Policy Centre e-newsletter. To unsubscribe, please click on the link below.