APRIL 2023
Welcome to the latest news from the Social Policy and Research Centre (SPARC) at the Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL).
System-wide policies to address poverty and improve access to sustained employment feature in upcoming events and also in our recent 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.
BSL Talk: TACKLING POVERTY IN THE EARLY YEARS
Friday 28 April 2023, 12 noon to 1 pm
One in six Australian children are currently living in poverty and Australia is ranked 32 out of 38 wealthy countries on child wellbeing. This BSL Talk will explore how to ensure every child in Australia has the best possible start in life. This will require repairing an early years system that is outdated, and inaccessible to the families who need it most. The panel will include:
- Travers McLeod, BSL Executive Director
- Jay Weatherill, Director of Thrive by Five
- Prof. Deborah Brennan, UNSW.
WORK AND WELLBEING: 8 HOURS MORE OR LESS
Friday 21 April 2023, 11.00 am to 12.30 pm
Village Roadshow Theatrette, State Library of Victoria (La Trobe Street entrance)
On the anniversary of the first 8 Hour Day march (1856), join us to consider the contemporary meaning and place of work in human lives, over and underemployment, the gendered nature of work, and the impact of insecure work on workers and families. The panel will feature:
- Nicholas Reece, Deputy Lord Mayor of Melbourne
- Dr Mark Zirnsak, Social Justice Advocate for the Uniting Church (Vic/Tas)
- Patty Kinnersly, CEO of OurWatch
- Emma Dawson, Executive Director of Per Capita
- Dr Jeff Sparrow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, University of Melbourne.
Then at 12 noon we will march to the 8 Hour Day monument (corner of Lygon Street and Victoria Parade), where Prof. Sean Scalmer, University of Melbourne, and an ACTU / Trades Hall representative will speak.
This event is supported by BSL, the Victorian Council of Churches and partners.
POLICY: FROM COMPLIANCE TO CAPABILITIES
Australia’s employment services have become preoccupied with regulation of jobseekers’ compliance, with often punitive conditions linked to social security payments. They have less focus on people’s long-term economic wellbeing in a fast-changing labour market. BSL has proposed key reforms to unlock the talent and potential of those who have been excluded from employment.
Read our Submission to the Inquiry into Workforce Australia Employment Services (PDF, 915 KB)
POLICY: PROTECTING AGAINST POVERTY
While the cost of living is rising for everyone, at BSL we are most concerned for those already experiencing disadvantage, or at risk of entering poverty. Our response to the current inquiry drew on evidence from our programs, and recommended measures to improve social security and relieve energy stress.
Read our Submission to Select Committee Cost of Living inquiry (PDF, 296 KB)
WEBINAR RECORDING: TACKLING THE GENDER PAY GAP
The BSL Talk, Mind the Gap, addressed how to close the gender pay gap created by insecure, part-time and undervalued work. Chaired by Emily Porter, it featured:
- Lyn Craig, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Melbourne.
- Lisa Darmanin, Branch Secretary, Victorian and Tasmanian Authorities and Services Branch, Australian Services Union
- Natalie Paine, Social Impact and Reporting Lead, ANZ.
Watch the webinar recording of Mind the Gap
POLICY: GAS DISTRIBUTION CHALLENGES AND COSTS
Victoria’s gas distribution arrangements determine the network tariffs charged through customer bills for the next 5 years. These should safeguard affordability for low-income households, while planning towards service decommissioning and the transition away from gas as a major energy source. BSL and other community organisations have commented to the Australian Energy Regulator on the latest revisions to access arrangements.
Read Victorian Community organisations' submission to 2023-28 Victorian Distribution Access Arrangements (PDF 171 KB)
RESOURCES: ONLINE SUBJECT READING LISTS FROM BSL LIBRARY
The BSL Social Policy Library curates content for its collection across a range of social policy and social justice issues. This content is then used to create public subject ‘lists’ which are viewable in the Library’s online catalogue. They include books, reports or websites, mostly readable online.
For example, the Care + Work list covers how people looking after children or elderly parents balance care with paid work.
There are nearly 40 lists for you to explore.
Jayne Pilkinton joined the SPARC Monitoring Evaluation and Learning team in 2022. She holds masters degrees in Adult Education and in Program Evaluation. Jayne previously worked with Our Watch, and with international development organisations including Oxfam Australia, spending five years in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
She is keen to contribute to evidence and learning about systems change that addresses the causes of poverty and discrimination, and to elevate participant perspectives in program evaluation. She is currently involved in the evaluation of several youth employment programs.
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BSL Research and Policy Centre
67 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy Vic. 3065 Australia
Phone: (03) 9483 1183
Email: research@bsl.org.au
Web: www.bsl.org.au/research
© Brotherhood of St. Laurence 2023
ABN 24 603 467 024 ARBN 100 042 822
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.