JANUARY 2023
Happy new year from the BSL Social Policy and Research Centre (SPARC).
This issue of Spotlight features the Sambell Oration supporting a Voice to Parliament and a webinar on energy affordability. It also includes policy submissions calling for changes to Australia's employment and training systems
You can read more about our current work at www.bsl.org.au/research and also browse our publications
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SAMBELL ORATION: SUPPORTING A VOICE TO PARLIAMENT
The 2022 Sambell Oration took the form of a conversation with two key architects of the Uluru Statement from the Heart about how the community dialogues were designed and run and how we can work together to help deliver a First Nations' Voice to Parliament.
Watch the video of the conversation with Aunty Pat Anderson AO and Professor Megan Davis
POLICY: REDESIGNING THE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SYSTEM
Australia has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redesign our employment and training system to unlock the talent and potential of those who have been excluded from employment. Our recent submission highlighted the critical shifts required.
Read our submission to the Treasury Employment White paper consultation (PDF,1.1 MB)
POLICY: A FRESH APPROACH TO APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINING
Declining completion rates, limited participation and disconnections between training and employer needs point to serious weaknesses in Australia’s current apprenticeship system. BSL presented the case for systemic change in our recent submission to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Read our Submission re Australian apprenticeship services and supports (PDF, 286 KB)
POLICY: GUARANTEEING A SKILLED FUTURE WORKFORCE
The Australian Skills Guarantee aims to ensure that one in 10 workers on major, Australian Government funded projects are an apprentice, trainee or paid cadet. BSL believes that achieving this positive aim will require transformation of the skills and training system and, especially in regional and rural areas, joined-up policy efforts.
Read our Submission re Australian Skills Guarantee (PDF, 208 KB)
POLICY: REFORMING PARENTSNEXT
The Brotherhood of St. Laurence believes the ParentsNext program is fundamentally flawed, and has become too focused on compliance. It should be replaced by a voluntary program for low-income parents, as proposed in our recent submission.
Read our Submission on ParentsNext to the Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services (PDF, 895 KB)
WEBINAR RECORDING: OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE ENERGY STRESS
Our timely webinar considered options to address the looming energy affordability crisis, and the implications for consumers, particularly those facing energy stress. It featured:
- Lynne Gallagher, CEO of Energy Consumers Australia
- Dr Sangeetha Chandrashekeran, Senior Research Fellow at the Life Course Centre
- BSL’s Damian Sullivan and Ismo Rama.
Watch the webinar recording Power pain: opportunities to reduce energy stress
POLICY: REGULATING GAS NETWORK ARRANGEMENTS
Energy affordability should be a key focus of the Australian Energy Regulator in considering proposals from gas distributors regarding network services and charges.
Read Victorian community organisations' submission to gas distributors’ initial proposals: 2023–2028 Access Arrangements (PDF, 339 KB)
Madeleine Morey joined the Youth Opportunities team of the Social Policy and Research Centre in 2021. She completed her PhD in human geography at the University of Adelaide, with a focus on the integration and transnational ties of New Zealanders in Australia. She previously worked in the university sector teaching social science research methods.
Her current work addresses vocational education reform as part of the National Youth Employment Body. This includes reframing how we think about employability, and considering the implications of current vocational reforms on young people. She is also currently co-leading the evaluation of AgFutures.
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BSL Social Policy and Research Centre
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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.