Victorian Government makes significant commitment to improving Aboriginal health

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Victorian Government makes significant commitment to improving Aboriginal health

11 April 2013 | The Victorian Government’s $61.7 million commitment to Closing the Gap in Aboriginal health outcomes is an important step towards tackling the health inequalities faced by Aboriginal Victorians.

Published under Indigenous, State Budget

More Victorians at risk of heatwave death

25 March 2013 | After Victoria’s hottest summer was followed by the longest March heatwave on record, a new report says people are more at risk from extreme heat due to our failure to properly plan for its impacts. Heatwaves cause more deaths in [...]

Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement III welcomed

22 March 2013 | The Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement III signed by the Victorian Government represents a welcome commitment to improving justice outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians says the Victorian Council of Social Service. ‘Reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal Victorians in the justice system will [...]

Time for constitutional recognition of First Peoples

12 March 2013 | Australia needs to hold a referendum to include formal recognition of this country’s First Peoples in the Constitution and community sector organisations have a responsibility to help make it happen says the Victorian Council of Social Service. Mick Gooda, Aboriginal [...]

Melbourne City Council’s action to end the Court ‘poor box’ will hurt the most vulnerable

19 February 2013 | Victorian charitable organisations will be deprived millions of dollars from court-directed donations after Melbourne City Council successfully overturned the long-standing legal practice says the Victorian Council of Social Service. ‘Melbourne City Council’s action to end the court “poor box” will [...]

Published under Community sector, Community sector strengthening, Welfare

Five years after Apology it is time to Recognise Australia’s First Peoples

15 February 2013 | As hundreds gathered in Federation Square this week to pause and reflect on the fifth anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, the passage of the Act of Recognition in Canberra marked another important step on the road [...]

VCOSS welcomes Commissioner for Children and Young People appointment

6 February 2013 | The Victorian Council of Social Service has welcomed the appointment of Bernie Geary as the first Commissioner for Children and Young People. ‘The Commission will play a significant role in promoting the best interests of Victorian children and young people and the [...]

Towards a more effective and sustainable community services sector: A discussion paper

5 February 2013 | Professor Shergold has published a discussion paper, Towards a more effective and sustainable community services system, to support consultation with community services organisations. The discussion paper outlines the key issues facing the community services system in Victoria and identifies potential pathways for reform and poses questions for feedback.

Service reform must focus on better lives

5 February 2013 | A new State Government project aimed at reforming community services offers an historic opportunity to improve outcomes for vulnerable people and communities and comes at a critical time for the State, according to the Victorian Council of Social Service. “Times [...]

Published under Community sector strengthening

Urban planning must prevent ‘two Melbournes’

5 February 2013 | The Victorian Government’s new planning strategy must address the growing divide between those who can access vital services and those who cannot. The Victorian Council of Social Service and the Brotherhood of St Laurence will co-host a special community sector [...]

Published under Community sector strengthening

Media Releases