Author Archives: VCOSS

Jun 16

Stronger early childhood education and schools

The 2021-22 Budget confirms the Government’s continued commitment to high-quality education and early learning.

Jun 9

Affordable living

This Budget largely focused on targeted expansions or continuations of services helping people in financial hardship.

Jun 1

A safe place to call home

This Budget builds on the record investment of the $5.3 billion Big Housing Build.

May 31

Fair and equal justice

This Budget includes funding for the long-awaited spent conviction scheme.

A wellbeing state

The Budget includes $3.8 billion to begin implementation of the Mental Health Royal Commission recommendations.

May 28

An equitable response to climate change

Communities impacted by the Black Summer bushfires will benefit from investment in essential services.

Women and children thriving, free from violence

The 2021-22 Budget invests $354 million to support victim survivors and address family violence.

Nov 24

‘Inequality crushing’ budget sets Victoria on a fairer course

"The pandemic has made bold interventions a necessity, and the government isn't missing its shot."

Nov 17

Energy package to save money, boost health and cut emissions

Everybody needs a home that stays cool in summer and warm in winter.

Nov 12

Did we just end poverty, and then let it return?

For a brief moment, and for a lucky few, we eradicated poverty. Now we're letting people slip back below the

Sep 16

‘You have to be your own cheerleader’: staying positive in COVID

Although COVID-19 has been devastating, it has given Meena chance to pause and map out where she wants to take

‘I’m going to have to make some tough choices’: Struggling for the basics

Mandy Weber and her two teenage daughters face the prospect of homelessness for a sixth time once the JobSeeker Coronavirus

Forced to embrace technology

John Doutch isn’t too fussed by the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic. “Us oldies, if I could put it that way, are

‘Pretty crap at the moment to be honest’: life on disability pension

“No one should have to be making choices between food and bills, medication and bills. But we are."

Staying close to nature, staying well

Fear of COVID-19 has changed a lot of things in Ruth Skewes' life, but some things are too important to

‘A bitter pill to swallow’: coping with racism and the virus

Bayu Pratama has been no stranger to racism since arriving in Australia from Jakarta eight years ago.

Sep 8

COVID-19 Digital Forum #6 (September)

A monthly discussion forum to guide community organisations through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sep 3

Working through Covid-19

Managing work, money, our health and legal rights during the pandemic.

Aug 31

ABC Melbourne crosses the language barrier to connect communities through COVID

We're teaming up with ABC Melbourne to help deliver important COVID-related information direct into communities.

Jul 29

The day they locked down my home

"If I'd been in a private high-rise block, there is no way known they could have got away with it."

Jul 24

Iso Drift

“We’re all in this together” goes the spin. But we’re not. Differential disadvantage means low-income people suffer more, for longer.

Jul 16

It Doesn’t Work Like That

Jinghua Qian turned freelance. A week later, COVID-19 shut down the country.

Jul 9

My COVID journey: from “Yellow Peril” to Bla(c)k Lives Matter

"Thousands of masked faces on the street in the middle of a pandemic, thousands of voices chanting, 'bla(c)k lives matter'."

Jun 26

Living through touch in the age of Corona

It will be a long time before I, and many other disabled people, feel that we can live our lives

Jun 17

My Reason, My Sanity

Every day after treatment, I would drop my father off and drive to my daughter’s house for a special window-visit.

Jun 1

Social housing, not home buyers grants, is the best stimulus

Governments can build new housing much quicker than the private sector.

Mar 25

VCOSS response to Infrastructure Victoria’s state transport network study

"Congestion charges are unfair at the best of times, and these are not the best of times."

Mar 19

Make Social Housing Work

A Framework for Victoria’s Public and Community Housing 2020 – 2030

Feb 28

Safeguard kids from the justice system

VCOSS Submission to the CAG Review of the Age of Criminal Responsibility

Review on Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility

Joint Council of Social Service Network statement to the Council of Attorneys-General

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