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Developments

Call for input into preparaton for 2018 Budget submission

2018 will be an election year in Victoria, and the pre-election May budget presents an opportunity to advocate for further investment in areas of entrenched disadvantage and pressing need. We are now planning for the 2018 budget. We plan to make a submission in October 2017 to advocate and influence the development and shape of the 2018 budget. The issues addressed in that submission would then also feed into advocacy in the lead up to the Victorian election in November 2018. We invite our member organisations, board and committee members to provide us with your priorities and ideas, and other material that you would like to be covered in the budget submission.

On Sunday 21 May 2017 Immigration Minister Peter Dutton announced an October 1 deadline for 7,500 asylum seekers yet to apply for refugee status, or face deportation. Mr Dutton said many asylum seekers were “fake refugees taking the system for a ride”. Melinda Jackson, Principal Solicitor with the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre's Human Rights Law Program said this latest policy change by the Government risks forcing people to lodge their applications without getting critical legal assistance.

Read the full letter here.

More than 50 signatories have joined together in an open letter to Victorian Attorney-General Martin Pakula, Minister for Families and Children and Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos, and Minister for Police, Lisa Neville expressing deep concerns about some changes proposed in the Children and Justice Legislation Amendment (Youth Justice Reform Bill) and the Justice Legislation Amendment (Protective Service Officers and Other Matters) Bill, both tabled in Parliament on 24th May 2017.

Soon after the letter was lodged, delegates from Jesuit Social Services’ Executive team and Board embarked on an international research trip to explore innovative and sustainable solutions to youth and adult justice issues. Taking place throughout June 2017, the Justice Solutions tour will investigate justice policy, systems, facilities and advocacy in the UK, Germany, Norway, Spain and the United States.

Catholic Social Services Victoria's recent submission to the Victorian Government on the upcoming budget focuses on entrenched poverty and disadvantage.

Victorians, and their families, who are experiencing poverty in challenging living and working conditions impeding their ability to live a fulfilling life, should be the focus of the Victorian Budget. We call on the Victorian Government to ensure that Victorians and their families are supported through increasing support for housing, employment, and community strengthening (particularly in geographic areas of need).

Position Vacant - Senior Policy Advisor

Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) has a position vacant for a part time (0.5) Senior Policy Officer in East Melbourne, reporting to the Executive Director of CSSV.

For more information, including an overview, responsibilities and key selection criteria, click here. Applications to HRRecruitment@cam.org.au close 1 May 2017.

Better outcomes for people who are disadvantaged; a resilient Catholic Social Services sector that responds effectively to its changing environment; Catholic Social Teaching making a difference; prevention and response to child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and organisations; and effective communication and engagement with Church and communities are among the priorities laid out in the Catholic Social Services Victoria's Council strategic plan for 2017-2019, which was recently finalised.

The St Vincent de Paul Society is urging the federal government to increase Australia’s annual intake of refugees to 30,000,

as world leaders convene for two special summits on refugees in New York.

This conference, to mark Anti Poverty Week 2013, provided great input and good discussion on serveral aspects of human rights in Australia.

Click here for text of Keynote address by Jacqueline Phillips, Director of Policy and Campaigns, ACOSS, on ‘Australia’s human rights future’

Click here for slides from 'Poverty Reduction Strategies in Australia: the disappointing decades?' by David Hayward, RMIT University

2013 Commissioning Mass and Annual General Meeting

Fr Joe Caddy’s homily on our calling as Catholic social services agencies, and Cath Garner’s presentation on ‘Partnering for Mission’, were memorable aspects of our 14 March Commissioning Mass and AGM. Julie Edwards of Jesuit Social Services and Jan Horsnell of Southern Cross Care were welcomed to the Council of Catholic Social Services Victoria.

Diversion for young people

In early October 2012, Catholic Social Services Victoria submitted a response

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