JUNE 2023
Welcome to the latest news from the BSL Social Policy and Research Centre (SPARC).
Two new reports focus on economic security for regional women and on transitions to employment for young people with disability. We have responded to inquiries about a clean energy workforce and about access to dental services.
You're invited to join a live BSL Talk on eradicating poverty in Victoria and a policy conversation about reimagining social security.
You can read more about our work at www.bsl.org.au/research and also browse our policy submissions.
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BSL TALKS: PARTNERING FOR A POVERTY FREE VICTORIA
Wednesday 21 June 2023, 1 pm to 2 pm
at Queen's Hall, Parliament House, Melbourne
To strive towards the eradication of poverty across Victoria, we recognise the importance of partnering with government, the business sector, workers and the broader community sector.
You’re invited to attend a special LIVE edition of BSL Talks at State Parliament Victoria.
Join Hutch Hussein, BSL’s Senior Manager Government Engagement, in conversation with:
• Travers McLeod, BSL Executive Director
• Danielle Wood, CEO Grattan Institute
• Emma King, CEO VCOSS.
Please note there is no seating. Places are limited, so registration is essential.
REIMAGINING SOCIAL SECURITY IN AUSTRALIA TO REBUILD OUR SOCIAL SAFETY NET
Thursday 22 June 2023
Arrive 5 pm, panel conversation 5.30 pm to 7 pm
Australian Catholic University, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy 3065
The recent federal budget showed some promising signs that the Australian Government is moving in the right direction on social security reform. But there is more to be done. After decades of demonising those on income support, it’s time for bold reform. To meet the challenges of the 21st century, we need to reimagine and rebuild Australia’s social safety net.
Join the conversation with a panel of experts including BSL’s Dr Dina Bowman. RSVP by 15 June.
REPORT: REFRAMING WOMEN’S ECONOMIC SECURITY IN SEYMOUR
Our Flip It study in Seymour, central Victoria, shows how adopting a gender lens can help to identify barriers affecting women and create opportunities to improve women’s financial wellbeing in regional towns. It drew on interviews with women and community workers to understand their views about the town, experiences of living in Seymour, perceptions of what helps or hinders women’s economic security, and scope for change.
Read the report by Margaret Kabare and Dina Bowman Flip it: reframing issues affecting women’s economic security in Seymour (PDF, 728 KB)
REPORT: LAUNCHING INTO THE WORLD OF WORK
Career Launchpad is an employment support program designed and delivered in Darwin by YouthWorX NT for young people with disability who are not NDIS participants. The evaluation by BSL researchers shows that the program has enabled school leavers to gain critical life skills and work experience, supporting their transition into training and employment.
Read the report by Deborah Warr and Sharon Bond, Preparing for the future: evaluation of the Career Launchpad program for school leavers with disabilities (PDF, 962 KB)
PROGRESS REPORT: DESIGNING AGRICULTURAL FUTURES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
A developmental evaluation report from the first phase of our AgFutures applied research initiative in south-west Victoria explores what is working, what are the challenges and what are the opportunities in co-designing employment-based training for young people in the agricultural sector.
Read the report by Madeleine Morey, AgFutures Interim Developmental Evaluation Report (PDF, 639 KB).
POLICY: BUILDING THE CLEAN ENERGY WORKFORCE
Read our submission to Jobs and Skills Australia re Australia’s clean energy workforce (PDF, 205 KB)
LIBRARY NEWS: BSL AND CALD COMMUNITIES
The Brotherhood of St. Laurence has a long-standing relationship with Melbourne’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. This started in 1956 with the European Australian Christian Fellowship (EACF), which in 1970 became the Ecumenical Migration Centre (EMC). EMC became part of BSL in 1999 and is now the Multicultural Communities Team.
Publications included The Navigator (1962–73), which captured issues confronting newly arrived migrants; and Migration Action (1974–2009), which was Australia’s only national, independent journal devoted to refugee, immigration and multicultural issues.
You can read all issues of Migration Action via the Library Catalogue.
Andrew Wallace joined the Social Policy and Research Centre in 2021. He holds a Bachelors degree in History and a Masters in Sociology, both from the University of Oxford. He has worked as an education specialist with young people in out-of-home care, and as a youth worker with young people seeking asylum.
At BSL he helped develop the Youth Opportunities Compass prototype for the National Youth Employment Body (NYEB). The Compass is a data tool built in consultation with communities, to allow them to explore local data about demographics, vocational education and the labour market.
Andrew now holds the role of Data and Reporting Analyst in the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team.
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BSL Social Policy and Research 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
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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.