Coronavirus: Australia’s pockets of chronic disadvantaged most vulnerable to consequences of pandemic
They are potentially among the most vulnerable to the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic — the thousands of Australians already captive to persistent disadvantage. 23 March 2020, As published news.com.au By Malcolm Farr | news.com.au They have been short-changed on health care, education, economic capacity and social cohesion, according to a ground-breaking...
Tailoring innovation and investment to tackle persistent disadvantage
Media Release Monday 23 March 2020 People across Australia are experiencing persistent disadvantage but are being forgotten because of the fallacy of average levels of advantage, a new Catholic Social Services Australia report has revealed. Mapping the Potential, a partnership between CSSA, 21 of its members and the Australian National University’s Centre for Social Research Methods,...
Charity sector must be supported through crisis
The Federal Government’s move to assist small business and protect jobs during the coronavirus crisis must be broadened to include the charity sector, Catholic Social Services Australia says. CSSA chief executive officer Ursula Stephens said the charity sector remains vulnerable to a slowing economy. “Giving charities and social services access to...
Catholic Social Services Backs Stimulus, But Urges Prudence
March 13, 2020 Catholic Social Services Australia says governments and other key institutions have a duty to respond to the coronavirus challenge with a focus on pursuing the common good. “At a time of social and economic uncertainty, we need concrete measures that support our economy,” CSSA chief executive officer Ursula...
CatholicCare Wollongong – 40th Anniversary
A special thanks to the Illawarra Mercury for creating a wonderful tribute to CatholicCare Wollongong, marking their 40th Anniversary 🎂 The article honour the special people who built the foundations of this organisation, namely Roger Austin and Kath McCormack, while looking at the evolution of social services over time. CatholicCare's mission remains...
NDIS users pay the price when systems serve the bureaucracy
Joe Zabar The Tune review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme should have the government very concerned, not just about the NDIS, but about its collective capacity to deliver government services more broadly. The release of the NDIS review during one of the government's largest mobilisations of support to bushfire-affected communities and businesses may prove to...
CERA – Catholic Emergency Response Australia
CSSA is proud to be leading this whole-of-Church initiative to help people and communities recover from the current bushfire crisis will set the blueprint for how the Catholic Church responds to domestic natural disasters in the future
Catholic Church Plans National Response to Bushfire Crisis
Australia is facing an unprecedented calamity as fire engulfs the land in many places. We have all seen the apocalyptic images, even if we are not in the areas most affected. Lives have been lost, homes and towns have been destroyed, smoke has shrouded large swathes of our...
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES NETWORK PRIORITISES BUSHFIRE VICTIMS
Supporting families and communities through the trauma and lasting impact of the bushfire devastation in New South Wales and Victoria is a national priority for Catholic Social Services Australia and its members. With staff and volunteers working in some of the most bushfire-affected areas of the country, the national...
Do you celebrate your staff’s achievements like Catholic Care NT?
While we report on program outcomes and impact, it is easy to overlook the importance of celebrating the achievements of staff who continue with their professional development and strengthen our services. Congratulations to the team at Catholic Care NT for your wonderful work in 2019. You can...
Looking Forward to 2020 Catholic Social Services Conference
Following the success of previous biennial conferences, Catholic Social Services Victoria and Catholic Social Services Australia are again partnering to present Serving Our Communities with Courage and Compassion. The conference will be held at the Catholic Leadership Centre, Victoria Parade, East Melbourne on 26-28 February 2020. A significant element of the...
Catholic social services team up to battle disadvantage
More than 20 Catholic social service providers from across Australia have joined with researchers from the Australian National University to commission new research into entrenched disadvantage. Today marks the commencement of research activity for the Identifying Locational Drivers of Entrenched Disadvantage project. “This project is a significant coming together across the...
Statement on the 6th Anniversary of Australia’s Mandatory and Indefinite Offshore Detention Policy
From the Catholic Outlook. This weekend marks the sixth anniversary of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s announcement that no person seeking asylum by boat would ever be resettled in Australia. Every single person arriving after that date was to be subjected to indefinite detention on Manus Island, PNG, or in the...
New Catholic social services CEO plans on working closely with government
Former Labor candidate for Goulburn, Parliamentary Secretary and Senator, Dr Ursula Stephens is again back in a leadership role as the new CEO for Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA), the Catholic Church’s peak national body for social services in the country. Dr Stephens spoke with Region media about “filling the large shoes”...
Dr Ursula Stephens accepts the baton
The clichéd comment to make to someone about to take over from someone else who is well-known and highly regarded is to say they have big shoes to fill. In taking over from Fr Frank Brennan as the new CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia on July 1, Dr Ursula...
Coronavirus: Australia’s pockets of chronic disadvantaged most vulnerable to consequences of pandemic
They are potentially among the most vulnerable to the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic — the thousands of Australians already captive to persistent disadvantage. 23 March 2020, As published news.com.au By Malcolm Farr | news.com.au They have been short-changed on health care, education, economic capacity and social cohesion, according to a ground-breaking national survey released today. The survey,...
CatholicCare Wollongong – 40th Anniversary
A special thanks to the Illawarra Mercury for creating a wonderful tribute to CatholicCare Wollongong, marking their 40th Anniversary 🎂 The article honour the special people who built the foundations of this organisation, namely Roger Austin and Kath McCormack, while looking at the evolution of social services over time. CatholicCare's mission remains the same, existing to bring...
NDIS users pay the price when systems serve the bureaucracy
Joe Zabar The Tune review into the National Disability Insurance Scheme should have the government very concerned, not just about the NDIS, but about its collective capacity to deliver government services more broadly. The release of the NDIS review during one of the government's largest mobilisations of support to bushfire-affected communities and businesses may prove to be a mistake if the public...
It’s time for the charity sector to invest in its capacity to shape the public policy agenda ________________________________________
The not-for-profit sector must extend a hand to the Australian Public Service as it undertakes its journey of reform. Our first task is to invest in our capacity to undertake policy advocacy, writes Joe Zabar, deputy CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia.
Catholic Church Plans National Response to Bushfire Crisis
Australia is facing an unprecedented calamity as fire engulfs the land in many places. We have all seen the apocalyptic images, even if we are not in the areas most affected. Lives have been lost, homes and towns have been destroyed, smoke has shrouded large swathes of our country ... Read the full statement...
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES NETWORK PRIORITISES BUSHFIRE VICTIMS
Supporting families and communities through the trauma and lasting impact of the bushfire devastation in New South Wales and Victoria is a national priority for Catholic Social Services Australia and its members. With staff and volunteers working in some of the most bushfire-affected areas of the country, the national network of Catholic social service...
Bushfire Reflection From Fr Frank Brennan
In this 2020 season of great joy, our country is on fire. Devastation is everywhere. Lives and property are being lost. We are powerless to withstand the forces of nature. Where is the good news in any of this? What space or moment is there for hope? Homily Fr Frank Brennan SJ Isaiah 60:1-6Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6Matthew...
Shaking faith: the Taylor and Westpac scandals
By Joe Zabar. The current controversies engulfing Westpac and the Federal Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction have a number of things in common: judgement, or the lack thereof; a perceived difficulty in recognising right from wrong; and inflicting adverse effects on their respective institutions. Read more at Eureka Street.
Catholic network ready to be part of a solution for people suffering across the country
by Joe Zabar Those facing drought conditions – and now bushfires – across large swathes of eastern Australia are going through countless emotions – despair, helplessness, hopelessness, fear and anger, to name a few. With dams empty, rivers stagnant and pastures reduced to dust, this drought is the worst since the 1940s – even longer in...
Jobs key to reviving flailing economy
With a softening labour market, it is time for the government to focus on job creation and targeted fiscal stimulus. The government would be wise to lift Newstart and home in on families with children by increasing Family Tax Benefits. Finally, we should pilot a jobs guarantee program for those over 50 and people...
