24 August 2023

24 August 2023

Barely Hanging On: the Cost of Living Crisis in NSW

On Friday, 11 August we released the research from our 2023 Cost of Living survey – Barely Hanging On: the Cost of Living Crisis in NSW. It involved over 1,100 households on low incomes and living below the poverty line, selected through stratified random sampling so that the data can be broken down by region and provide statistically significant results for different parts of NSW. This makes it a powerful advocacy tool, highlighting how different groups and locations are being impacted, and where relief should be targeted.

This year’s survey also had a focus on culturally and linguistically diverse communities and the particular challenges they face. It illuminates the extent to which they are hardworking and resourceful, but up against it.

Overall, the results are confronting, showing just how much the cost of living crisis has deepened since 2022 and the extreme measures that financially disadvantaged households are resorting to in order to get by. The qualitative feedback from focus groups also makes clear the human toll of skyrocketing living costs, with stress and anxiety a constant state, relationships fraying, and families experiencing immense pressure.

Our recommendations, developed in consultation with our members, are intended to tackle some of the underlying structural problems contributing to the crisis, as well as provide immediate and targeted relief to those most in need. These now form the basis of our pre-budget submission to the NSW Government, ahead of the September State Budget.

Scroll down to read the article on our latest Cost of Living research in NCOSS News and see some of the media coverage generated in NCOSS in the News. Read the report and the accompanying supplementary paper here.

National action to address the housing crisis
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Last week, ahead of the National Cabinet meeting in Brisbane, NCOSS joined with other state and territory Councils of Social Service and ACOSS to make an urgent appeal for immediate national action to address the housing crisis. Along with increased investment in social and affordable housing, we called for improved protections for the growing number of renters who struggle with excessive rent increases, lack of security and poor quality housing that pushes up energy costs.

While additional Australian Government funding and incentives to help the states and territories build 1.2 million new homes are welcome, those with nowhere to go now can't be expected to wait five years from 2024. There’s also an insightful article in the Sydney Morning Herald by the University of Sydney’s Professor Nicole Gurran, responding to the outcome of National Cabinet deliberations and outlining why planning reforms are not the answer to NSW’s supply problems – you can read it here.

Indexation update
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Last week NCOSS and the ASU again wrote to the NSW Treasurer, highlighting that while indexation of 5.75% from 1 July has provided much needed certainty for, and been welcomed by many, not every program has benefited. There are some in our sector that won’t receive any indexation or will receive an amount lower than 5.75%. We also outlined concerns raised by some members that 5.75% won’t enable them to meet all of the cost increases they face, when inflation is sky-high.

As our letter says, this points to the urgency of establishing the taskforce – promised by Labor in the lead up to the election – to look at sector funding, contracting and reporting arrangements, and the need for secure jobs. Indexation should be a priority for the taskforce. If we can agree an evidence-based, transparent formula to apply across the sector, then it doesn’t need to be a last-minute scramble every year that leaves some feeling badly done by or ignored.

Independent Gaming Reform Panel
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The first meeting of the Independent Gaming Reform Panel took place last week. It consists of the Chair, Michael Foggo, and independent executive members Niall Blair and Ursula Stephens, along with 13 other members representing diverse interests including law enforcement, pubs and clubs, academics, harm minimisation representatives and a fantastic lived experience expert.

There's a lot on the agenda and there's not a lot of time to get it done! But it is evident that the starting point has to be the establishment of a clear and agreed objective for the trial, from which design aspects and other elements can then be determined.

It doesn't look like the Panel will be undertaking broader community consultation. The expectation is that Panel members will bring the views of their networks to the table. NCOSS will establish a mechanism to keep our members in the loop, help make sure the diverse voices of those with lived experience of pokies harm are heard, and ensure the process of designing and implementing the trial is evidence-based and undertaken with the highest levels of probity.

Post Budget Breakfast 2023

Don't forget to register for our 2023 Post Budget Breakfast, being held in-person in the Strangers Dining Room at NSW Parliament House, and by livestream, on Tuesday, 26 September 2023. In-person spaces are limited so get in quick!

This year’s event will be moderated by Channel Nine’s State Political Reporter, Liz Daniels. As well as hearing from NSW’s Treasurer, the Hon Daniel Mookhey MLC, and Shadow Treasurer, the Hon Damien Tudehope MLC, we’ll be joined by a panel of experts from our sector, bringing their perspective to what the budget has – and hasn’t – delivered for people doing it toughest.

Frontline sector organisatons from outside Sydney who register to join un online are eligible to go into the draw for one of three, $300 cash prizes to help them put on their own Post Budget Breakfast after the livestream ends.

The Tillies! What a ride!
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After the electrifying quarter final against Les Bleus – and after we were all gutted by the outcome of the semi-final against the Lionesses – the play off for third place against Blågult was always going to be an emotional rollercoaster. It wasn't the result we were all hoping for but, wow, what a ride! And congratulations to the Rojas on their nail-biting win on Sunday.

It’s fantastic to see women’s sport, and such inspiring and courageous female athletes, taking centre stage.

"We are living pay check to pay check. I have no ability to save any money for surprise expenses. We have cut back on groceries and are trying to use buy now, pay later to pay off large utility bills. It’s come down to choosing which bills we pay and which we let go overdue to try save the money needed to cover them.” – Couple with dependent children, 25-34, Outer West Sydney/Blue Mountains

I’m wearing clothes with holes or rips and unable to get new ones. I could say so much more but I just don’t have the energy, as what’s the point?” – Couple with dependent children, 25-34, Riverina

I only get one meal every few days and I can’t pay a lot of the bills. I have to go without feminine hygiene products.” – Couple with dependent children, 25-34, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie

Last week, NCOSS released our annual Cost of Living in NSW (CoLiN) research which investigates the cost-of-living pressures on people living below the poverty line and in low-income households across NSW.

Undertaken by the Institute of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Technology Sydney in April of 2023, this research engaged 1,134 NSW residents through an online survey, conducted 23 focus groups, and undertook interviews with participants.

Barely Hanging On: The Cost-of-Living Crisis in NSW explores the experiences across a range of issues such as housing, employment, income and financial hardship. It also analyses these experiences by demographic groups including household type, income group and location, with some findings available at Statistical Area 4 level.

The statistics are grim. But it's the stories from those who are making almost unimaginable choices that really cut to the heart.

Single parents going without meals so they can feed their kids, struggling to be a good parent while facing the stress of worrying about money all of the time. Older people unable to afford transport to medical appointments and having to pick and choose between prescribed medications because they can't afford to fill all of their scripts. The sense of shame at not being able to afford a haircut or decent clothes, having to borrow money from family or lining up at food pantries for the first time.

The pressures on individuals and families have flow-on social and economic costs in terms of children’s development, educational engagement, workforce productivity, and population health, resulting in increased demand on social services, mental health, hospital and other support systems. NCOSS’ member organisations – who dealing with the impacts of this crisis every day – are reporting record levels of demand, greater complexity in needs, and a shift in the demographics of the people they are supporting.

We need our governments to take decisive action and provide targeted support and assistance to those who are barely hanging on.

Find the report our recommendations to government in the supplementary paper here.

The NSW Government has released the first report of the NSW Bus Industry Taskforce and – among other things – the Minister, the Hon Jo Haylen, has instructed Transport for NSW to start working on a plan to establish a long-term growth funding program to improve bus services in underserved communities around the state.

Read the report and the media release.

Bus Passenger Forums are being organised across the state to speak with the community face-to-face on what they want to get from their bus services. Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Dr Marjorie O'Neill, will chair these forums. Members of the public and representatives from community groups, local businesses and non-government organisations are invited to have their say.

Upcoming consultations will be taking place as follows:

South East Sydney
Saturday 26 August 2023, 10:00am-10:45am
Saturday 26 August 2023, 11:00am-11:45am
Venue: The Juniors Club, Terrace Room, 558A Anzac Parade, Kingsford 2032

Illawarra
Monday 11 September 2023, 1:00pm-1:45pm
Monday 11 September 2023, 200pm-2:45pm

Parramatta
Friday 15 September 2023, 10:00am-10:45am
Friday 15 September 2023, 11:00am-11:45am

Macarthur Region
Friday 22 September 2023, 1:00pm-1:45pm
Friday 22 September 2023, 200pm-2:45pm

You can register interest in attending these forums on the Taskforce's Have your say page.

At the August meeting, we were excited to announce that future Regional Members Meetings will be held in the regions, as well as online. The plan is that Joanna or Ben, and a couple of members of the NCOSS team, will join a local organisation in hosting the meeting, giving nearby organisations the chance to join in person. The meetings will be followed by a light, networking lunch and provide an opportunity to drill further down further into the issues of greatest importance to the region.

Other highlights from the August meeting included:

Hearing from Kate Sinclair, proud Dharug woman and Senior Solicitor at PIAC, who is heading up their Voice advocacy campaign, and John Leha, proud Birri Gubba, Wakka Wakka and Tongan man and CEO of AbSec, talk about the Voice to Parliament. Thanks to Kate for the geat information and all for the discussion. We encourage everyone to keep reading, keep informing temselves and talking to their families and friends. Have a look at the NCOSS's Support for the Voice web page for further resources and information.
Catching up on everything that's happening in the disaster resilience and recovery space and our Community Sector Disaster Capability Project with Megan. There’s a lot going on!
A briefing from Ben about what the Cost of Living in NSW research was telling us about the state of play in regional NSW
Being brought up to speed on the work of the Bus Industry Taskforce and the process of consultation with the community.

Leesa Rae Harrison from Hastings Neighbourhood Services hit the nail on the head when she commented on how much there was going on, and how exhausting it was for seriously under-resourced organisations to be constantly asked to contribute to consultations when they are barely hanging in there, trying to support their communities in the face of this cost-of-living crisis. As Co-Chair, Brad Webb said, wouldn't it be refreshing if governments actually acted on the recommendations that came out of all these reviews?

Image: Armidale Post Office and Imperial Hotel as seen on Places to visit in and around Armidale on the NSW Government's website.

As well as getting our Community Sector Disaster Capability (CSDC) project up and running in three, high-risk regional locations, our CSDC team is also busily providing input to the various government reviews underway concerning disaster management systems.

We're providing input to the NSW Premier's Department's review of the State Emergency Management Plan and are involved in consultations and meetings led by the NSW Reconstruction Authority to review the NSW Recovery Plan and develop a State Mitigation Plan. We've also made a submission to the Commonwealth Government's independent review of disaster funding arrangements and contributed to the detailed submission made by ACOSS.

In all of these processes, we are emphasising the need to deliver meaningful outcomes on the ground, across the lifecycle of disasters, through actions that:

Recognise local context, culture, history and risks
Draw on the strengths, assets and know-how of communities
Invest in place-based coordination, planning and network development to build the relationships and collaborative approaches that will best support and sustain communities in the face of increasing disasters.

We are particularly emphasising the important role of local social service organisations who are experienced in working with vulnerable communities, dealing with people in crisis, providing specialised support, taking a strengths-based approach, and building social cohesion and connectedness.

But these organisations need supporting structures and processes to facilitate, among themselves, a coordinated approach that ensures the best use of expertise, resources and connections. And social service organisations need to be recognised by, and linked into, the local emergency management system, which too often is focused on physical infrastructure and the immediate response, with the needs of the most vulnerable population groups left off the agenda.

Let's hope our input and efforts, including through our CSDC project, help shift the dial to deliver a more collaborative and inclusive approach to disaster management!

If you would like to provide input to the review of the NSW Recovery Plan, you can contact the NSW Reconstruction Authority. To find out more about our CSDC project and related activities, contact Project Director, Megan Nicholson or visit our project web page.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.

Australian Financial News, and others, reported that Minister for Gaming and Racing, David Harris addressed the Independent Panel at their first meeting in Sydney on Monday, 14 August 2023.

Mr Harris said he was pleased the Independent Panel was considering the design and framework for the upcoming cashless gaming trial carefully and as a matter of priority, including the minimum requirements for venues and technology providers to take part.

Panel members include:

Chair Mr Michael Foggo
Executive member Dr Ursula Stephens – former Senator for NSW, Australian Labor Party
Executive member The Hon Niall Blair – former Minister and Deputy Leader of the NSW Nationals
Mr David Hudson – Deputy Commissioner, NSW Police
Mr Tony Chapman – NSW Chief Cyber Security Officer, Cyber Security NSW
Ms Rebecca Riant – Chief Executive Officer, ClubsNSW
Mr John Whelan – Chief Executive Officer, Australian Hotels Association NSW (AHA NSW)
Mr Jinesh Patel – Chief Executive Officer, Gaming Technologies Association
Mr Don Hammond – Chief Executive Officer, Leagues Clubs Australia
Professor Joel Negin – Trustee, Responsible Gambling Fund Trust
Ms Joanna Quilty – Chief Executive Officer, NSW Council of Social Services
Rev Stu Cameron – Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent Wesley Mission
Professor Melanie Randle – Dean of Research, Development and Integrity, University of Wollongong
Professor Sally Gainsbury – Director, Gambling Treatment & Research Centre, Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney
Ms Imogen Beynon – Deputy Director, Casinos, Clubs & Gaming, United Workers Union
Mr Nick McGhie, lived experience Panel member.

Read the full Australian Financial News article. Image seen on the AFN website.

Anglicare Australia’s latest rental affordability snapshot, released to coincide with National Homelessness Week 2023, reveals the rental crisis has become so deep that essential workers are being priced out of their homes. One, a nurse in Coffs Harbour, turned to Mission Australia, who put her up in a motel until they could help her find something more stable.

A report from the Community Housing Industry Association, also released in National Homelessness Week 2023, showed the waitlist for priority social housing in NSW had increased by 1,000 to more 7,500 in the past year.

Amy Hains, acting Chief Executive of Homelessness NSW, points to people like casual workers who have been hit hard by the cost-of-living crisis noting that being employed, or having more than $5,000 in the bank, can lock people out of access to homelessness services.

Read Cait Kelly's article in The Guardian. Image by Blake Sharp-Wiggins as seen in The Guardian.

AbSec, the peak Aboriginal child welfare organisation, has commended the recent collaborative initiative by the NSW Minns Labor government and key stakeholders to convene the Aboriginal Child Safety and Wellbeing Reform Forum. This landmark event, scheduled to take place over two days in Sydney, signifies a critical step towards reshaping outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people in NSW.

The forum’s focus on co-design, genuine partnership, and holistic community engagement aligns with AbSec’s core values and vision for a reimagined family and child wellbeing service system. By bringing together leaders, community representatives, and experts from various fields, this platform creates an opportunity to address historical disparities and systemic challenges that have impacted First Nations communities.

AbSec acknowledges the significance of placing Aboriginal families and culture at the heart of policies and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Aboriginal children. The commitment to reducing the number of Aboriginal children in care, emphasising the well-being of families and their children, and empowering Aboriginal families to shape their own future resonates deeply with AbSec’s mission.

Read AbSec's full media release.
Read the NSW Government's media release.
image seen on the AbSec website.

Recording & resources from NCOSS' 2023 learning session on the NSW Budget

A big thanks to the nearly 60 participants who contributed to the highly useful discussion on 15 August around the NSW Budget process.

One participant said it well – “So helpful and practical, especially for our under-resourced sector where we likely wouldn't have been able to get across the breadth of this info so easily and concisely.”

A recording of the main presentation, as well as resources shared at the session, are now available on the event page. Please watch this space as NCOSS continues the vital work of advocating for our Cost of Living in NSW recommendations and scrutinises the Budget outcomes when it's handed down on 19 September.

Image by Freepik.

ACOSS Policy Webinar Series: Robodebt Royal Commission Report
Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)
Thursday, 24 August 2023, 1:00 - 2:00pm AEST
FREE | Register

ACOSS is excited to present this next instalment in their ACOSS Policy Webinar Series for 2023, which will take a deep dive into the recent Robodebt Royal Commission report.

Register to hear analysis of the report and explore priorities for reform. The discussion will focus in depth on the implications of the Royal Commission’s report for the administration of social security, and the treatment of people who receive social security payments in the future.

This ACOSS Policy Webinar will be in conversation with Dr Darren O’Donovan, Senior Lecturer in administrative law at La Trobe Law School, who has written extensively on rights, oversight and public administration, with a particular emphasis on frontline administrative justice. Darren has a particular passion for social security and disability law, and has been a close follower of the Robodebt Royal Commission.

ACOSS invites you to join this free webinar and be part of the conversation. There will be the opportunity for you to pose your questions to speakers and participate in discussion with other attendees.

Connecting Communities Conference
Local Community Services Association (LCSA)
Monday, 28 - Wednesday, 30 August 2023

Fee information and options are available here.

LCSA's 2023 Conference is being held at the Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach.The theme for this year is Reconnect & Reimagine - Working with local communities into the future, which will explore how we work with communities, develop our workforce and support the sector to be strong and sustainable for tomorrow and beyond.

Register here.

Western Sydney Women: Saying Yes to the VOICE
Women's Electoral Lobby and Immigrant Women Speak Out
Tuesday, 2 Septmber 2023
FREE EVENT - Registration Required

Women’s Electoral Lobby, in partnership with Immigrant Women’s Speakout, is holding a forum Western Sydney Women: Saying Yes to The Voice. It's on Darug Country in the Max Webber Function Centre at Blacktown Library.

Facilitated by community leader Kittu Randhawa, forum panellists include Professor Gabrielle Appleby, Colleen Mitchell, Nalika Padmasena, Anita Hanna, and Ruby Langton-Batty.

Understanding Recent Tax Reforms
Justice Connect - Not For-Profit-Law
19 September 2023, by Zoom
Free

Join Justice Connect for a FREE special edition webinar in partnership with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) that will help your not-for-profit understand and comply with new and existing tax requirements.

The requirements for not-for-profits that self-assess as income tax exempt ⁠changed from 1 July this year. In this webinar, we’ll host Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Moltisanti of the ATO, who will guide you through what these changes mean for your organisation and how you can prepare.

Register here.

Trauma Informed Care
AbSec
20 September or 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.

NSW Government Disability Advocacy Futures Program 2023-24
Special Purposes and Projects and Sector Development Grants
Closing Date: Monday, 28 August 2023

In NSW, approximately 17% of the population (approximately 1.35 million people) live with disability. Of those, 11%, are eligible for services and supports under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

In December 2019, the NSW Ageing and Disability Commissioner recommended the establishment of the Disability Advocacy Futures Program (DAFP) which commenced on 1 January 2022 and is funded until October 2024. The DAFP focuses on all people with disability in NSW who need support to access NSW Government funded or provided services, whether or not they are NDIS participants. Where relevant, it also targets specific communities and disability types.

Under the DAFP, the 2023-24 Special Purposes and Projects and Sector Development grant programs aims to:

Support initiatives to assist people with disability in NSW to actively engage in their communities in a more informed and empowered way, for which alternative funding sources are not available
Drive quality improvement, collaboration and innovation among advocacy organisations, and to build stronger networks and learning opportunities.

Grant guidelines are here.

Caring for Country Grants
EOI Close: Wednesday 30 August 2023

Groundswell Giving recently announced the launch of their second annual $160,000 Caring for Country Grant Round, offering 3 major grants of $40,000 and 4 small grants of $10,000 to support Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander people working towards climate justice. The Caring for Country Grant Round supports the work of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander people:

Protecting Country: Prevention of fossil fuel expansion eg. advocacy and campaigning.
Caring for Country: Land, sea and water management eg. preserving and protecting carbon sinks.
Climate solutions: Supporting Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander led climate solutions eg. agriculture to sequester carbon and energy transition initiatives.
Preserving culture: Strengthening community to ensure ongoing generational care for Country, eg. protecting cultural heritage.

Grant details are here.

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Child Care Worker (Diploma); Child Care Worker (Cert III) (Sydney CBD) - City of Sydney - VIEW JOB; VIEW JOB

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Manager, Burwood WDVCAS (Inner West Sydney) - Community Action for Better Living - VIEW JOB

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Principal Council Officer (Sydney CBD) - Parliament of NSW - VIEW JOB