In the Media

17 November 2022 A wide-ranging federal government review of policy, funding and governance issues within tertiary sector must look at HECS debt and other student loan repayment mechanisms, particularly for low paid and disadvantaged former students. The review, announced last night by Education Minister Jason Clare, aims to create a “universities accord” which would set the course for the higher education sector for the next decade. Currently, repayments for four kinds of student loans, including HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, SA-HELP and OS-HELP, are indexed to... read more

7 November 2022 Plans by NSW Labor to allow almost a million renters in NSW to transfer their bonds from one property to the next is a major cost of living initiative welcomed by one of Australia's largest social services networks. The policy plan, announced ahead of the NSW State election in March next year by Labor Leader Chris Minns yesterday, also includes tighter rules around evicting tenants without reasonable grounds. Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia, Francis Sullivan, said the election commitment... read more

26 October 2022 Last night’s Federal Budget highlighted the Government’s values by making it clear that low-income and disadvantaged people will not be left behind as the community faces enormous economic and structural budget challenges. Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia, Francis Sullivan, said today that the Budget was more of a scene setter than a road map. “Parental support and childcare were up front last night while, at the same time, the Treasurer made it clear that support for the social services... read more

24 October 2022 One of the country’s leading social services groups, Catholic Social Services Australia, has welcomed an additional $560 million in funding for housing, domestic violence and Indigenous services to be announced in tomorrow night’s budget. The four-year funding commitment will help with the rising cost of providing community programs and wage increases that social service organisations across the country are all struggling with. Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Australia, Ms Monique Earsman, said the extra funding will help address the... read more

13 October 2022 Nearly 200,000 Australians will have their robodebt reviews wiped as the Federal Government scraps investigations into the controversial Coalition scheme introduced in 2015. The Social Services Minister, Amanda Rishworth, has confirmed her department wouldn’t continue investigations. “The robodebt fiasco is something that should be of deep concern to all Australians,” she said. “It was meant to save money, however, we know it had a significant human cost.” Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Australia, Ms Monique Earsman, said the decision to... read more

5 October 2022 A major new report by a progressive think tank, Per Capita, has found that homeless women over 55 are expected to double in less than a decade. The report, using data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, forecasts that without significant new policies, more than 15,000 older women will become homeless by 2031. It also found the most recent census data might not truly reflect the extent of homelessness among older women given they are more likely to... read more

26 September 2022 The proposal by the Federal Government to establish a new alternative dispute resolution process for people caught up in NDIS disputes would make the process of appealing a decision faster and easier. Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Australia, Ms Monique Earsman, said any genuine attempt to assist those struggling with the NDIA bureaucracy is welcome. “Families are often placed under unnecessary stress accessing the scheme and then face ongoing challenges maintaining the required level of care for themselves... read more

15 September 2022 Catholic Social Services Australia has welcomed yesterday’s decision by Federal Cabinet to extend pandemic leave disaster payments beyond the scheme’s expiry on 30 September. Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Australia, Ms Monique Earsman, said continuing the payments beyond the end of September and for as long as mandatory isolation remains in place is essential for low-paid and casual workers. “These casual workers, who receive little or no sick leave, are carrying an unfair burden when they are forced into... read more

8 September 2022 Catholic Social Services Australia, Catholic Health Australia, the National Catholic Education Commission, Catholic Employment Relations and Caritas Australia are among those lending their support to National Child Protection Week (September 4-10) in a very tangible way. The National Catholic Safeguarding Standards, which incorporate the National Child Safe Principles, have been endorsed for all Catholic organisations that are engaged with children and young people. They underpin the Church’s commitment to working towards a common goal of every child, in every... read more

24 August 2022 A new performance report on one of the state’s most innovative back-to-school program revealsmore than 16,400 students and 7,800 families across far north and central Queensland have beenhelp cover back-to-school costs since 2017. The School Savvy, back to school program, provides families on low incomes or in financialdifficulties with low-cost school uniforms and other school essentials. The program, which was developed by Centacare Far North Queensland in 2017, was taken up byCatholicCare Central Queensland in Rockhampton in 2019 and by... read more

21 August 2022 Half of the country's disability employment service (DES) providers will see some or all of their services end due to poor performance following a major review of the sector in the wake of the disability royal commission. From today (Sunday, 21 August) 52 of the 104 DES providers nationally will begin to be contacted by the Federal Government and informed that some or all of their services will end due to poor performance. Eight of these providers will effectively be... read more

11 August 2022 Across Australia, some 1,400 NDIS participants are waiting an average of 160 days, equal to almost six months, to be discharged from hospitals despite being ready to go home or into appropriate special accommodation. Bill Shorten, the Minister overseeing the National Disability Insurance Scheme, says the public hospitals are becoming stuck by "bureaucratic glue" stopping healthy patients from leaving. “Bureaucratic decision-making appears to be slowing down the process of discharging patients rather than a lack of appropriate accommodation options,” Mr... read more

27 July 2022 One of Australia’s leading social services groups, Catholic Social Services Australia, has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to abolish the unjust and unfair cashless debit card. Legislation to repeal the card will be one of the first pieces of business introduced by the new government on Wednesday (27 July), the first full sitting day of the new parliament. Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Australia, Ms Monique Earsman, said the cashless debit card had stigmatised and divided Australia. “Since the introduction... read more

15 July 2022 One of Australia’s leading social services groups has welcomed the decision by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to restore the $750 pandemic isolation payment, acknowledging the urgent need to address Australia’s ballooning number of COVID cases and hospitalisations. It is understood that the Premiers will also push to have the Federal Government continue funding free rapid antigen tests for concession-card holders at tomorrow’s (Saturday) National cabinet, which has been brought forward by two days. Francis Sullivan, Chair of Catholic Social Services... read more

14 July 2022 One of Australia’s leading social services groups has urged the Federal Government to continue providing free rapid antigen tests to vulnerable groups as Australians face increased covid numbers and hospitalisations. The scheme, introduced in January this year, provides Pensioner Concession Card, Low Income Health Care Card, and Seniors Card holders with up to 10 free rapid tests over three months. So far, more than 58 million tests have been handed out under the program. Earlier this week, Federal Health Minister Mark... read more

11 July 2022 Australians over 30 will be offered a fourth dose of Covid vaccine from today, as health authorities battle a winter wave of Omicron cases. An additional 7.4 million people can receive a winter booster from Monday, 11 July, as Omicron infections rise. Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia, Francis Sullivan, said today the threat posed by Omicron, particularly to the elderly and disadvantaged, has never been more real. "We have seen over the past two years that it has been the... read more

13 June 2022 As the Government begins drafting terms of reference for a Robodebt Royal Commission a key outcomes must be that the poor and vulnerable are never left at the mercy of such massive government maladministration and heartless automation ever again. “Hundreds of thousands of Australia’s most vulnerable were traumatised and harassed as a result of a faulty Centrelink debt collection scheme,” Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia, Francis Sullivan, said today. “This was a disaster that must never happen again. The... read more

1 June 2022 New ministers in the Labor Government have huge challenges on their hands as they work to address the systemic disadvantage millions of Australians face every day, Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia, Francis Sullivan, said today. “We warmly welcome the new ministers, particularly Linda Burney (Indigenous Australians), Amanda Rishworth (Social Services), Bill Shorten (NDIS), Julie Collins (Housing and Homelessness) and Mark Bulter (Aged Care), who will be at the coal face as the Government confronts the persistent disadvantage that... read more

29 March 2022 The Morrison Government has yet again failed to provide any focused funding to assist the most marginalised and underprivileged Australians in its 2022/23 budget. Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia, Francis Sullivan, said that while some of the Government’s initiatives might flow through to people living on or below the poverty line, there is very little that is specifically designed to alleviate their hardship. “At a time when some 3 million Australians, including nearly 750,000 children, are living in poverty,... read more

21 March 2022 Funding for participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme was cut by 4 per cent in 2021 with the average spend falling from $71,200 in 2020 to $68,500 in 2021. The figures, revealed in the latest NDIS quarterly report, reinforces concerns among disability service providers that the cost cutting that they have been predicting is starting to become a reality. Ms Monique Earsman, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Australia, said today disability providers and participants have for months been... read more

18 March 2022 Despite Australia’s jobless rate falling to a new 13-year low last month, cost of living increases continue to place enormous pressure on low income and disadvantaged families. Ms Monique Earsman, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services Australia, said today, while the fall in the unemployment rate is clearly welcome, people on low incomes and those living on or below the poverty line are not seeing any real benefits. “According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2021 consumer prices rose... read more

11 March 2022 The Federal Government’s planned $2 billion health funding boost to fight a looming winter omicron infection wave and the first serious flu season in three years must focus on disability, aged and Indigenous communities. “Over the past two years, we have seen marginalised communities left behind or ignored by the Federal Government as it has rolled out vaccinations and other COVID related health resources,” Ms Monique Earsman, Executive Director, Catholic Social Services Australia, said today. “The Government can’t allow this... read more

10 March 2022 Just under 3 million Australians, including nearly 750,000 children, are living in poverty according to a major new report from the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre. According to the report, released this week, nearly 11.8 per cent of the population are living on less than half of Australia’s median income. Ms Monique Earsman, Executive Director, Catholic Social Services Australia, said that as shocking as the report is, the findings for women are even worse. “The report reveals a clear gender gap in... read more

7 March 2022 A major survey of nearly 2,500 disability support workers has found almost one third (31%) of respondents want to leave the sector within the next 12 months. The survey, by unions representing sector workers - ASU, HSU, UWU and AWU - found nearly a third (31%) wanted to leave their jobs because of negative workplace culture, and nearly one quarter (21%) wanted to leave for more pay. The findings follow the release of a recent report by the Parliamentary Joint... read more

16 February 2022 The company behind Australia’s offshore processing regime on Nauru made a staggering $101 million profit last financial year – more than $500,000 for each of the fewer than 200 people held on the island at the time, according to its most recent accounts filed with the corporate regulator. Francis Sullivan, Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia, said today it is a disgrace that the companies running the detention centre continue to make obscene profits as the number of refugees... read more

1 December 2021 Three of Australia’s biggest states will opt out of new building construction standards designed to improve accessibility features for people living with disabilities. The changes would require all new buildings to have basic accessibility features such as at least one step-free entrance, a toilet on the entry-level, and reinforced walls in the bathroom. New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia have all said they will not incorporate the new National Construction Code (NCC) standards into their own state-based laws. Chair... read more

1 October 2021 The first major review of Catholic Church policy and governance, which starts on Sunday (3 October 2021), must deliver major reforms and allow lay Catholics greater participation in the governance of the Church according to one of Australia’s most prominent church reformers. Francis Sullivan, Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia, said today that the Catholic Church’s Plenary Council is the first opportunity since the second Vatican Council in 1959 to herald in major reforms to the way in which... read more

29 September 2021 The Morrison government announcement today that it will withdraw emergency COVID 19 financial support to the states and territories a fortnight after they reach an 80 per cent double vaccination rate is a blow to struggling families and could worsen the nation’s mental health pandemic. Francis Sullivan, Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia, said that while the payments could not go on forever the Federal Government needs to ensure that in the event of future COVID  lockdowns or outbreaks... read more

27 September 2021 The Disability Royal Commission has described the Federal Government's vaccine rollout to the disability community as "seriously deficient" and lacking in transparency. In a draft report released today, the Commission acknowledges that while the Australian Government Department of Health confronted major challenges in framing the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out strategy it failed to meet these challenges especially to people living with disabilities and disability support workers. The Commission is now calling for the Federal Government to not allow state and territory... read more

24 September 2021 A federal government commitment made to boost funding for domestic violence more than fourmonths ago is still yet to make its way to service providers. The funding, announced in May this year as part of the 2020 Covid response, is earmarked to meetthe growing demand for domestic and family violence services during the pandemic. But many services, including several Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA members), say they arestill waiting to hear when the extra money will become available. In March 2020,... read more

13 September 2021 (updated 14 September 2021) Chair of the Catholic Church’s peak social services body said today that reports Sydney Church leaders are calling for parishioners to be able to attend religious services regardless of their vaccination status are very concerning. Francis Sullivan, Chair of Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA), has called on all community leaders, including leaders of the Catholic Church, to back in the advice of public health officials regarding the importance of vaccination. “The most important message that church,... read more

Media Release 2 September 2021 There is growing fear among Catholic providers of disability services that the National Disability Insurance Scheme will not deliver the level of support that clients and providers need. Catholic Social Services Australia, many of whose members offer services through the NDIS, has said while there was a sense of relief that a plan to implement independent assessments was scrapped, key issues remain. Chief among those concerns is the gap – which appears to be growing – between what services... read more

Media Article 30 August 2021 The projects were chosen following a competitive selection process, and represent different areas of need across Australia. The funding will enable university-community partnerships on short-term collaborative research, with measurable impacts for the partners as well as the communities they serve. ACU Pro Vice-Chancellor (Engagement) Sandra Jones said that the SESU was striving to have impact through empathy by addressing key areas of need in the community. “We are aware that 2020 and 2021 have been especially difficult for social... read more

Media Release 21 July 2021 Monique Earsman, whose working life has included roles in the federal and ACT parliaments and within the Catholic Church, has been named the new executive director of Catholic Social Services Australia. Ms Earsman joined Catholic Social Services Australia last year, serving as executive officer to Ursula Stephens, who stepped down from the CEO role earlier this year. CSSA chair Francis Sullivan said Ms Earsman’s background in politics and strategic communications has prepared her well to carry forward the organisation’s... read more

Media Release 10 May 2021 Catholic Social Services Australia is deeply concerned that new regulations could silence charities’ advocacy on behalf of vulnerable groups for fear of having their charitable status revoked. The Australian Parliament is expected to soon consider the expansion of one of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission’s governance standards. CSSA chief executive officer Dr Ursula Stephens says the rationale offered for the change “fails to demonstrate why such an expansion is needed”. If introduced, it risks “unintended consequences regarding the... read more

Media Release 30 April 2021 Catholic Social Service Australia chair Francis Sullivan says departing CEO Ursula Stephens has guided the organisation admirably through a period of change, and will be sorely missed as she takes up a new role. Dr Stephens has today been announced as the new CEO of Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd, the company established in December 2020 to oversee safeguarding, child protection and professional standards matters for the Church in Australia. Mr Sullivan said while he and other members of the... read more

Media Release 19 March 2021 Catholic Social Service Australia has denounced the Government’s JobSeeker legislation, which will set the JobSeeker payment at just $44 a day from next week, saying it will push families into poverty. “More than three million people are affected by this decision, which will see almost one million children condemned to living below the poverty line,” said CSSA chief executive officer Ursula Stephens. “This short-sighted and unjust decision will have long-term impacts across society.” Dr Stephens said more than 250,000 people... read more

Media Release 23 February 2021 A $50 increase to the fortnightly Jobseeker payment and Youth Allowance will do nothing to lift Australians out of poverty and will perpetuate long-term disadvantage, Catholic Social Services Australia CEO Ursula Stephens says. Dr Stephens said today’s decision is “deeply disappointing” to the large network of Catholic social service agencies, calling the Government’s announcement “mean-spirited and short-sighted”. “We know that the increased payments provided through the Coronavirus Supplement improved the living standards of many families in Australia,” she said. “CSSA... read more

Media Article 22 February 2021 As published by CathNews “We vow to provide service and love to all in need without prejudice or judgment — to share our common table with the hungry, to bring warmth and care to the frail, and to proportion our common wealth among the poor and destitute,” said organisations including World Vision, Wesley Mission, Bible Society Australia, Mission Australia and the Presbyterian Church. The joint letter from the Christian community organisations was handed to Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday... read more

Media Release 19 Feb 2021 Catholic Social Services Australia has joined its voice with the St Vincent de Paul Society, Anglicare and the Australian Council of Trade Unions in opposing proposed changes to industrial relations law. CSSA chief executive officer Ursula Stephens, Vinnies CEO Toby oConnor, Anglicare’s Kasy Chambers and Michele O’Neil from the ACTU have spent time at Parliament this week outlining their concerns about changes to the Fair Work Act currently being considered. Dr Stephens said despite the bill to amend the... read more

Media Release 27 October 2020 Francis Sullivan has been elected the new chair of Catholic Social Services Australia Ltd during the first meeting of the entity since its recent consolidation. Mr Sullivan has held a number of significant roles within and beyond the Catholic Church, including as chief executive officer of Catholic Health Australia and as secretary general of the Australian Medical Association. As CEO of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council, he led the Catholic Church’s engagement with the Royal Commission into... read more