21 September 2023

21 September 2023

The NSW Government's first budget misses the mark

The NSW Labor Government handed down its first Budget on Tuesday, 19 September and we think it missed the mark when it comes to addressing rising disadvantage and supporting those doing it toughest.

NCOSS welcomes initiatives like the additional $100 million to provide targeted relief from spiralling energy bills to pensioners and eligible concession card holders from mid-2024 – though more needs to be done to ensure those who are eligible know about these benefits and can access them. And while $224 million through the Essential Housing Package is a step in the right direction, it falls way short of what we need to tackle the housing crisis which has been decades in the making.

Investing in physical infrastructure like schools and hospitals for growth areas such as Western and South Western Sydney is much needed, so that families can access essential facilities. But these areas also have a higher concentration of disadvantage, and it's disadvantaged households who are bearing the brunt of the cost of living crisis. With housing costs a key driver, and with many being squeezed out of the private rental market in particular, we needed to see a substantial investment in social and affordable housing and concrete actions to improve security and protection for renters. These measures were missing in action.

And with more households in crisis, they’re reaching out to frontline social services like never before – seeking housing assistance along with help to put food on the table, pay the bills, provide adequate care for their kids and deal with complex challenges like mental health issues and domestic violence. But this Budget does little to bolster the capacity of essential social services to address rising demand.

So all up, it’s a Budget that’s big on longer term investment in physical infrastructure but falling way short when it comes to social infrastructure.

It’s not too late to register for our Post-Budget Breakfast

Liz Daniels, State Political Reporter for 9News will be putting the hard questions to Treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, and Shadow Treasurer, Damien Tudehope, at our Post-Budget Breakfast next Tuesday, 26 September.

Then we’ll hear from a panel of sector leaders about what the budget means for their communities, including:

Leo Patterson Ross, CEO, Tenants’ Union of NSW
Nemat Kharboutli, Strategic Support Manager, Muslim Women Australia
Julie Perkins, CEO, Gurehlgam
Poppy Loueizi, Principal of Ashcroft Public School, our school partner in the Mirrung Hub project.

It’s not too late to register to be there in-person or to join the livestream.

I'm voting YES! Messages from some NCOSS members
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We're excited to launch the first of our video messages from 10 sector leaders in support of the campaign to recognise First Nations people in the Australian Constitution and establish a Voice to Parliament as the next step in this country’s journey towards reconciliation.

Hear from:

Thom Calma, Executive Manager, Sydwest Multicultural Services
Nemat Kharboutli, Muslim Women Australia’s Stategic Support Manager
Rev Stu Cameron, CEO and Superintendent, Wesley Mission
Yolanda Saiz, CEO, St Vincent de Paul Society
John Leha, CEO, AbSec and NCOSS Director
Brad Webb, NCOSS Treasurer
Bev Baker, Chair of the Older Women’s Network and NCOSS Director
Daniel Gobena, Manager of Mt Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency
Jenni Beetson-Mortimer, CEO, Northern Rivers Community Gateway and NCOSS Director
John Robertson, NCOSS President.

Thanks to our fabulous NCOSS members who gave up their time to make this happen and to our talented film-maker, Tiger Gill-Finnegan, co-owner and Creative Director at Think Well Digital.

And in other news, it’s time to hang up my hat as NCOSS CEO
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After five exciting – and sometimes exhausting – years as CEO, I’ve made the difficult decision to leave NCOSS and take up a new challenge as the Deputy Secretary, Preparedness and Recovery, at the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

I know that the knowledge and experience I’ve gained at NCOSS will stand me in good stead when it comes to the need to prioritise vulnerable and disadvantaged communities who are most at risk when disaster strikes; and recognising and supporting the role of place-based social services who are first on the scene and there for the long haul. It will be a challenging role, but one where I hope I can make a difference.

My last day at NCOSS will be Friday, 20 October and our Director of Policy and Advocacy, Ben McAlpine, will step in as Acting CEO while the Board undertakes a recruitment process.

It goes without saying that I’ll greatly miss the very loyal and hardworking NCOSS team who have gone above and beyond to make things happen. Thank you! I know you will keep NCOSS going from strength to strength.

I’d like to thank the fabulous NCOSS Board – our President, John Robertson, our Treasurer, Brad Webb, and our Directors Bev Baker, Elfa Moraitakis, Jack Whitney, John Leha, Karlie Stewart, Katherine McKernan, and Wendy Foote – for the unwavering support and guidance they have provided to me, to staff, and in the work that NCOSS does.

I’d also like to thank NCOSS members and their teams – especially those doing the heavy lifting at the frontline of the fight to end poverty and disadvantage in NSW. You show up every day, and your resourcefulness and resilience makes a real difference to those doing it tough. You deserve much more recognition than you get and funding commensurate with the importance of the work you do.

It's been a pleasure and a privilege to lead NCOSS for the last five years.

NCOSS staff were out and about last weekend, Walking for Yes. In Sydney, the atmosphere was electric, with a groundswell of people from all ages and walks of life braving the serious heat to stand up for recognition of our First Nations people in the Australian Constitution and a Voice that can't be silenced.

At the Sydney march we heard from political leaders from the Australian and NSW Parliaments across the political spectrum – Liberal, Labor, Green, Independent, as well as the indomitable Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore and (in his words) the "retired" former Premier, Barry O'Farrell.

Tanya Plibersek, Federal Environment Minister Member for the Sydney electorate in the Australian Parliament, said “Australians are a fair people. We are an egalitarian people. We love justice, and we love one another. Let’s show that love and decency to the world on October 14 and vote Yes.”

NSW Liberal and the youngest women to be elected to the NSW upper house, Jacqui Munro, said “This Voice represents the freedom to speak freely, and to be heard justly. Who am I to say no?”

Aunty Shirley Lomas, a descendant of the Gamilaroi and Waka Waka Aboriginal nations a member of the stolen generations, noted we were gathering in the place where former Prime Minister, Paul Keating, made his famous 1992 Redfern Park speech, and acknowledged the wrongs of the past. "Unless we right those wrongs," she said, "it'll still be the status quo."

She asked Australians to recognise the 60,000 years First Nations history and right the wrongs of the past. "Have the courage to say Yes. Because I will be voting Yes, for my son," she said. "And to all the naysayers, those people, it's never too late."

NCOSS urges non-Indigenous people to vote YES, to help right the wrongs of the past, for Aunty Shirley and the members of the stolen generations, for the end to Indigenous disadvantage and a better future for all future Australian generations!

In the legendary Paul Kelly's words:

The status quo is busted, let’s stop kicking that old can
If not us, then who? If not now, then when?
It’s business that’s unfinished, high time to see it through
If not now, then when? If not us, then who?

Photo credit: Catherine Reilly

First Nations referendum grants
Australian Communities Foundation’s First Nations Advisory Group

One-off grants of between $500 and $2,000 are available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander organisations, community groups and individuals undertaking initiatives that bring community together and provide access to information, resources and support in relation to the upcoming referendum. Scroll down to Grants Opportunities, towards the end of eNews, for information on how to apply.

NCOSS has welcomed some of the investments in the NSW Government’s 2023-24 Budget, but called for urgent support for those living in poverty.

“We acknowledge the significant financial pressures the NSW Government is currently under, but this Budget does not do enough to help those barely hanging on," NCOSS CEO, Joanna Quilty said.

As cost-of-living pressures ramp up and the affordable housing crisis grows, she called for urgent, increased investment in front-line supports such as neighbourhood centres, tenants advice, domestic violence services, financial counselling and mental health supports.

Read our full media release.

Joanna was interviewed on ABC Radio on 18 September, commending the announcement of the increase in the energy rebate but stressing the need to make sure those eligibe know thy exist, and that they're quick and easy to apply for so those with the greatest need can readily access the supports they need.

Joanna also appeared on ABC's 20 September 7:00 News bulletin covering the NSW Budget, talking about the need for immediate action on social and affordable housing given the ballooning waiting lists.

"We really needed to see a significant and urgent investment to build social and affordable housing at scale, and it's just not there," she said.

Watch the segment, which starts at 10:27 into the bulletin.

Image credit AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi, seen on The Mandarin.

Emerging Minds: National Workforce Centre for Child Mental Health invites health, social and community services workers to complete the 2023 National Workforce Survey for Family, Parent and Child Mental Health. This survey seeks to understand the current awareness and practice challenges facing professionals in supporting children’s mental health during their everyday practice. 

You do not have to work directly with children or in mental health to participate.

This is an opportunity to help build a picture of workforce needs that will help ensure future workforce development strategies meet the needs of real workers and will also contribute to advice that will shape children’s mental health policy.

The survey is anonymous and takes about 20 mins to complete. It closes on Wednesday, 15 November 2023.

Complete the survey for your chance to win one of five iPads.

To learn more about the survey, check out the Emerging Minds website to read, download, watch or listen to the results of the previous survey in 2020-21.

Starting today, the JobSeeker rate will be increased from $50 to $54 a day through a combination of indexation and the increase to income support announced in the federal budget. Youth Allowance, which won’t be indexed until the new year, will increase by just $2.86 a day.

As any one of us would know, $54 a day will only go so far in the face of the skyrocketing costs experienced when at the supermarket checkout or filling up at the petrol station. And it’s significantly less than the rent increases many members of our community have received in the last year.

Earlier this month, the Raise the Rate campaign launched a new report highlighting the gross inadequacy of income support and calling on the Government to urgently raise the rate.

They're asking supporters to email a copy to their local MPs.

As the Raise the Rate team says:

It’s a frustrating and exhausting conversation to continue having – but there’s hope the tide is turning. Earlier this year when we expected no change in the Federal Budget, the Government announced an increase (albeit a small one) in the JobSeeker rate. We need to keep up the pressure!

Tuesday, 26 September 2023 @ 8:00-9:45am
Strangers Room, NSW Parliament House & by livestream
From $20 (NCOSS Member price, online) | Register

Hear from the Treasurer, the Shadow Treasurer followed by a panel of sector leaders. The discussion will be moderated by respected journalist, Nine's State Political Reporter, Liz Daniels.

Joining us in-person?
Catch up with friends and colleagues over a stand-up networking breakfast from 9:45-10:30. We can promise the legendary Parliament House scones!

NGO Researchers Forum
26 October 2023, 1:00-2:30pm. Online
FREE I Save the date. Registrations are yet to open.

The NSW NGO Researchers Forum aims to strengthen and promote a community-led research approach. So far in 2023, we’ve learned from nine significant projects over three sessions.

Do you have a recently completed project, or research underway, you'd like to share? If so, we’d love to hear about it at our October 2023 meeting. Please send a short expression of interest to present by Friday, 29 September 2023.

For inquiries, please email advocacy@ncoss.org.au. For more information, including resources from previous Forums, please visit the NGO Researchers Forum webpage.

Wednesday, 6 December 2023 @ 8:45am-1:00pm
NSW Parliament House, 6 Macquarie Street, Sydney
Free | Register

How to have your say and maximise your influence

Do you work for a non-government organisation and want to know more about Parliamentary Inquiries, so that you can participate and influence policy decisions?
Do you want to build your skills in writing submissions or in appearing as a witness?

Facilitated by staff members of the NSW Legislative Council parliamentary committees, as well as by the NCOSS Policy & Advocacy team, this workshop is most useful for people who have limited or no experience in writing submissions or taking part in hearings. It is also well-regarded by those who would like to refresh their knowledge and skills in the subject areas.

More information is available on the NCOSS website.

Image of the Legislative Council chamber, as seen on the NSW Parliament website.

"The Voice: It Works" Panel Discussion
Sydney Policy Lab - University of Sydney
Monday 25 September 2023, 5:30pm
Free | Register

How can we learn from examples of existing consultative processes in policy development to better understand the benefits of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament?

Consultation with those affected by a given policy is an established and basic principle of good policy making. As the nation considers the modest proposal for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, examples abound demonstrating that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have a genuine say about their future, outcomes improve.

In this panel discussion, hosted by the Sydney Policy Lab at the University of Sydney and Chaired by Dr Terri Janke, we will hear from Indigenous leaders about a number of existing, empowering Indigenous consultative processes and how the next step is to require Parliament to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people a Voice in their own affairs.

Panel Members: Geoffrey Winters, Professor Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, Denise Bowden

NSW Youth Work Conference and Awards 2023
Youth Action
Thursday, 26 October, 9:00am - Friday, 27 Oct 2023, 4:00pm. ATYP, Pier 2/3 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point
$50 - $350 I Register

Registrations are open for Youth Action's Listen, Learn & Celebrate: NSW Youth Work Conference to be held at the Australian Theatre for Young People's premises at Dawes Point, Sydney! Purchase your tickets here.

Youth Action listened to the youth sector about what they wanted to hear more about in 2023 and arranged professional development sessions with a focus on mental health, homelessness, participation and rights-based approaches, how to better interact with the education system, working better with First Nations people and their organisations, and programs and approaches for better through care for young people in conflict with the law.

Since 2013, Youth Action has hosted the NSW Youth Work Awards, an annual celebration of the exceptional work of youth services and youth workers across NSW. The Awards will be held as a part of the NSW Youth Work Conference.

Youth Action is excited to bring everyone together to celebrate the incredible work that the youth sector does for young people.

Lessons in Disaster training
Gender & Disaster Australia
September to October 2023
Bega, Lismore, Blue Mountains, Sydney
FREE

Do you work with communities affected by disasters? Don’t miss out on the valuable Lessons in Disaster training.

Award-winning training will help you understand:

The distinct experiences of women, men, and LGBTIQA+ people during disasters.
How gender roles often expect men to protect and provide while women are expected to prioritise nurturing others at the expense of their own safety.
That LGBTIQA+ people’s needs are frequently overlooked in disaster situations.
That applying a gendered lens at every stage of disaster leads to stronger and more inclusive communities in recovery.

Follow the links below to register for the session closest to you:

Bega: 26 September 2023 @ 9.30am to 4.30pm
Lismore: 10 October 2023 @ 9.30am to 4.30pm
Blue Mountains: 18 October 2023 @ 9.30am to 4.30pm
Sydney: 19 October 2023 @ 9.30am to 4.30pm.

You may wish to continue on to the two-day intensive Train the Trainer program in Sydney on 24-25 October 2023. To register, first submit an EOI for review. For more information contact Melesa or visit the website.
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Not-For-Profit Financial Literacy 101
Justice Connect – Not-for-profit Law
Tuesday, 26 September 2023, 12:45-2:00pm AEST, by Zoom
$49 - $85 I Register

Understanding not for profit financial reporting is key to good decision making and complying with your overarching legal duties.

In this practical webinar, we are lucky to be joined by Carol Tran from Accounting for Good, who will break down the ‘accountancy speak’, provide clarity, and empower your board and staff to understand your not-for-profit's financial reports.

Trauma Informed Care
AbSec
31 October or 12 December 2023
$450 per person, group bookings available

It is a requirement in NSW that all Aboriginal children and young people in out-of-home care have a Cultural Care Plan and a Cultural Support Plan.

The Cultural Connections Workshop helps child protection practitioners and agency staff support Aboriginal children in care through effective cultural planning.

During the one-day workshop, AbSec's Aboriginal trainer will guide you through how to create meaningful and achievable cultural planning, and how to put it into practice. They will also build interpersonal skills to help you consult with Aboriginal families and communities; maintaining these relationships is central to forming complete and effective cultural support plans, and gaining the important input of all key figures in a child’s life.

This 1-Day course is designed for those working or intending to work in the child protection industry as a service provider, case worker, manager etc.

More information and enrol here.

First Nations referendum grants
Australian Communities Foundation’s First Nations Advisory Group

One-off grants of between $500 and $2,000 are available for First Nations organisations, community groups and individuals undertaking initiatives that bring community together and provide access to information, resources and support in relation to the upcoming referendum.

The First Nations Rapid Response Referendum (RRR) Grant Round will prioritise initiatives that:

Are led by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who may not otherwise have the capacity to participate in the campaign
Complement and strengthen existing or ongoing initiatives in their geographic area and/or engage their intended audience

A simple and culturally appropriate application process has been developed, including clear guidelines and a transparent decision-making framework. Eligible people can submit an expression of interest here.

This grants round has been summed up by Amelia, a community youth leader as follows:

If you are a First Nations person and want to put on a community BBQ, yarning circle, or even fuel up your car to be able to drive around and have yarns with community, apply for a grant now.

If you're not First Nations, Australian Communities Foundation encourages you to share this opportunity with your network and ask them to do the same.

Social and Community Participation 2023-24 Grant Opportunity
Department of Social Services
Closing Date: Friday, 6 October 2023, 9:00pm

The Australian Government is inviting organisations via an open, competitive grant process to apply to deliver services under the Social and Community Participation (SCP) stream of the Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Program from April 2024 to June 2026.

Funding of up to $50 million will be available to deliver one-off, time-limited activities to support people with disability, their families and carers to participate, contribute and benefit from mainstream community activities including arts, culture, sport and recreation.

The intended outcomes of the SCP stream are for people with disability, their families and carers to have:

greater opportunities to participate and contribute in the community
increased accessibility to, and inclusion in, communities.

Proposals should be for innovative activities, co-designed with people with disability, their families and carers, and aligning with Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031.

Activities should be about changing attitudes and practices, resulting in improved delivery of disability services and developing better practices to support people with disability in achieving their life goals.

More information here.

NSW Women's Week Grants
NSW Government
Closing Date: Monday, 9 October 2023

NSW Women’s Week celebrates the diverse contributions of women and girls. It is an opportunity to reflect on the social, economic and achievements of women and girls in NSW.

NSW Women’s Week will be celebrated between Monday 4 March and Sunday 10 March 2024 to coincide with International Women’s Day on 8 March 2024.

All events and activities must align with at least one of the pillar priorities from the NSW Women's Strategy (2023-2026). These pillars are:

Economic opportunity and advancement
Health and wellbeing
Participation and empowerment.

A total of $300,000 is available for organisations to deliver an event or activity that supports the objectives of NSW Women’s Week, and the NSW Women’s Strategy (2023-2026) more broadly. For further information on the NSW Women’s Strategy, please visit Women NSW.

Some of the latest from our Jobs Board:

Communications and Public Relations Officer (South West Sydney) - NSW STARTTS - VIEW JOB

Outreach Caseworker (Inner City Sydney) - The Gender Centre - VIEW JOB

Child Care Worker, Certificate III (Inner City Sydney) - City of Sydney - VIEW JOB

Community Youth Worker (Western Sydney) - Platform Youth Services - VIEW JOB

Media Advisor (Inner City Sydney) - Community Housing Industry Association - VIEW JOB

Intake Officer (Inner West Sydney) - Welfare Rights Centre - VIEW JOB

Aboriginal Financial Counsellor (Illawarra) - Illawarra Legal Centre - VIEW JOB

Family Support Manager (Western Sydney) - Hope Connect - VIEW JOB

Financial Counsellor (Goulburn) - Anglicare NSW South I NSW West I ACT - VIEW JOB