Monthly Archives: November 2015

Nov 30

Victoria needs to unleash the power of local communities to solve entrenched disadvantage

VCOSS is calling on the Victorian Government to take a new approach to solve entrenched disadvantage, and allow local communities

Nov 27

Labour Hire and Insecure Work

VCOSS submission to the Victorian inquiry into the labour hire industry and insecure work.

Towards better transport for regional Victoria

Public transport is important for people experiencing disadvantage because it allows people to access valuable life opportunities, including employment, education,

Impending fire season poses extra risk for uninsured people on low-incomes

The looming fire season poses an extra risk for lower income Victorians who are unable to afford adequate insurance to

Nov 26

Impending fire season and emergencies: risks for low income Victorians without insurance

The Victorian bushfire season has already begun, with homes destroyed in Lancefield in October, extreme fire conditions declared across Victoria

Nov 24

Rental affordability crisis pushing people to the edge

The extreme lack of affordable rental housing is leaving people on the lowest incomes almost completely locked out of the

Nov 20

Shutting the door: reduced access to mental health and alcohol and drug treatment services

A report released today on the recently implemented arrangements for mental health community support services and alcohol and drug treatment

Addressing the impacts of poverty and disadvantage on children

VCOSS recently provided a submission to the state government's Early Childhood Consultation Paper, released as part of the Education State.

Spike in energy and water disconnections shows need for hardship reform

A worrying 36 per cent increase in energy and water disconnections shows the need for reform of retailers’ response to

Nov 19

Under 12 is too young: Raising the age of criminal responsibility

The current minimum age of criminal responsibility in Australia is out of step with international law, and evidence about children’s

Time to scrap discriminatory penalty fares

It is time to scrap the discriminatory system of penalty fares on public transport, says the Victorian Council of Social

Nov 16

NDIS Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Framework: the next steps

On 16 September 2015, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Premier Daniel Andrews signed the bilateral agreement outlining the rollout of

Nov 13

What's important to YOUth?

VCOSS’ submission to the development of a whole-of-government youth policy.

A thriving community sector free to advocate for our communities

Freedom of voice, organisational autonomy and financial independence are three fundamental elements for an independent community sector, a joint ACTCOSS

Nov 12

Preventing vulnerable children and young people from entering the child protection system and optimising their wellbeing

The best ways for government and the community to foster children’s healthy development and prevent or minimise conditions that may

Nov 11

Health 2040: Make health everyone’s business

Health should be everyone’s business, with a focus on preventing illness and ensuring all Victorians can achieve and maintain good

Nov 6

Sanctuary for people seeking safety in Australia

“They arrested me, accused me of working for the Tamil Tigers and I could not escape. They continuously tortured me

Nov 5

Lower income Victorians worse off under GST rise

Lower income Victorian households would be dramatically worse off under proposed changes to the GST, and the State Government should

Nov 2

Employing Victorians experiencing disadvantage

VCOSS Response to the Employment Programs Review

Inquiry into Abuse in Disability Services: Stage 2

Submission to the Victorian Parliament’s Family and Community Development Committee October

Health 2040 – VCOSS Submission to discussion paper on the future of healthcare in Victoria

VCOSS welcomes this opportunity to provide feedback on the Health 2040 discussion paper on the future of the health system

VCOSS Submission to the Roadmap for Reform: Strong Families Safe Children

The Roadmap for Reform: Strong Families, Safe Children project is a chance to help strengthen vulnerable families and improve the