Comment

Brotherhood Of St Laurence

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• Publié par: Chuwyung
• Nombre de lectures: 49
• Langue: English

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ISSN 1320 8632
A REGULAR UPDATE FROM SOCIAL ACTION AND RESEARCH
August 2003
Towards a new research agenda
We also seek to build new forms It is an exciting time to be joining effort to create a productive and
of partnerships and networks the research team at the Brotherhood sustainable economy in which
with civil society organisations of St Laurence. New moves are all citizens can take their fair
and we will engage with businessafoot in Australian social policy. and rightful place.
and corporations around a socialThe 1980s and 1990s were tough
enterprise approach. We will forgedecades when economic reform Ending poverty
new alliances with environmenttook precedence in a manner that in an inclusive society
groups in recognition thatrelentlessly marginalised social We understand that lack of income
economic and social policies spending and intervention. is a primary cause of social exclusion,
cannot be separated from theirToday the social dimension can but also want to emphasise that
environmental consequences.no longer be ignored. disadvantage is compounded by
lack of access to a range of
Our challenge is to pursue socialWe see this at the international resources including health care,
inclusion with justice. Thelevel with the end of the (neoliberal) education, housing, transport and
research team invites dialogue‘Washington consensus’ and at the community care. Disadvantage
concerning our new directions. local level with the proliferation cannot be adequately understood
We are also looking at projectsof initiatives to promote regional in terms of individual behaviour,
which can best advance researchdevelopment and social inclusion. but must be considered in relation
in these three areas. We wouldIt can also be observed at the to local, national and global forces,
welcome expressions of interestnational level. Thus Garnaut (in and structural inequalities.
from potential research partners. Dawkins and Kelly 2003) argues:
‘Growth promoting policies that Social governance
Paul Smythviolate community perceptions and democratic processes
General Manager of Social Actionof distributional equity are not Traditional approaches to social
and Researchfeasible in Australia…’ (p. 27). policy development and service
Professor of Social Policy, Centredelivery based on hierarchies
for Public Policy, University ofAt the BSL we are currently and/or markets failed to deliver
Melbourne working on a research program community outcomes. Networks
(due to formally take upwhich might allow us to best and partnerships provide a more
appointment in November 2003)contribute to the emerging reform effective pathway to deliver services
[e-mail]. Provisionally, three themes and promote democratic renewal
have been identified: in local communities. An open,
Reference
accessible ‘whole of government’
Dawkins, P & Kelly, P (eds) 2003, Hard
Creating a sustainable economy approach will enable services to heads, soft hearts: a new reform agenda for
This theme promotes an active be more client-focused and Australia, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW.
economic role for social policy. accessible to citizens who have to
Social policy is not just about date been excluded.
picking up the pieces left by the
market. It is concerned with the
Contentskinds of strategy needed for a
society which creates optimum The cost of education...................................................................3
economic opportunities for all
Eleven plus: Life Chances Study stage 6.................................................... 4
citizens.
Disadvantaged job seekers and mutual obligation............................................6
Administering policy:Youth Allowance and young job seekers................................. 8Social policy is not a passive
response to social exclusion Breaking Cycles, Building Futures project: towards inclusive early childhood services.............10
through welfare spending, Re-Igniting Community..................................................................12
important as that must be when Equipping parents for transition support...................................................13
economies fail to provide for all.
Workforce age social security payments14
Rather it is about production and
Recent library acquisitions...............................................................15distribution as well as
Innovation Hub........................................................................16redistribution – a whole of society
www.bsl.org.au August 2003 1In this issue Diary dates
Paul Smyth’s introduction to this about 11 and 12 year olds, Thursday 16 October 2003
Sambell Oration, the BSL’s issue outlines new directions for while Michelle Wakeford’s article
annual public lecture to celebratethe Brotherhood of St Laurence’s describes low-income families’
the International Day for theresearch and policy agenda, struggle with the cost of education.
Eradication of Poverty. focusing on a sustainable economy, Stephen Carbone reports progress
Speaker: Rosalind Copisarow,
social inclusion and social on research to identify strategies
a pioneer in microfinance who
governance. Seminars are already for more inclusive services for
bolstered job creation in Poland
being planned to explore topics younger children. and the UK.
under these broad themes. Venue: Zinc, Birrarung Marr
Gareth Williamson outlines the Federation Square, Melbourne,
Please send us your email address new Innovation Hub, designed 3000. (Melway ref. 2F H6)
if you would like to be advised to foster creative staff initiatives Time: 6.45 – 8.45 p.m.
Free entry. Supper will be served.about upcoming seminars. in social enterprise.
RSVP by 9 October:
phone [phone] Stephen Ziguras (focusing on the Projects to involve people in
or e-mail [e-mail]-term unemployed) and Sally community building (Re-Igniting
Jope (focusing on young job Community – The Torch) and to Tuesday 18 November 2003
Brotherhood of St Laurence seekers) report recent investigations assist parents to help their teenage
Annual General Meetingof the impact of mutual obligation children choose career pathways
Featuring a short documentaryrequirements. The BSL’s submission (CATS) are also profiled.
video on BSL job creation programs.(made jointly with the Welfare
Venue: Dallas Brooks Centre,
Rights Unit (Vic)) about simplifying Deborah Patterson
300 Albert Street, East Melbourne
workforce age social security Editor
3002. (Melway ref. 2G C1)
payments is summarised. [phone] Time: 7.00 – 9.00 p.m.
[e-mail] Free entry. Supper will be served.
Janet Taylor reports key findings RSVP by 11 November:
of the Life Chances Study Stage 6 phone [phone]
or e-mail [e-mail].
Recent submissions
• Response to Retirement Villages • Submission to the Working Age The Brotherhood puts forward its
Act 1986 discussion paper, Task Force in response to the views when it believes that it can
September 2002 discussion paper: ‘Building a make a considered contribution to
simpler system to help jobless a better understanding of the needs
• Submission to the Senate families and individuals’, (with of low-income Australians based
Community Affairs References the Welfare Rights Unit (Vic)),on its research or policy analysis or
Committee Inquiry into Poverty June 2003its experience in providing services.
and Financial Hardship,
March 2003 • Submission to the Submissions or statements made
Commonwealth Task Force on in the last 12 months include:
• Submission to the Review Child Development, Health and • Submission to the Senate
of Pricing Arrangements in Wellbeing, June 2003.Community Affairs References
Residential Aged Care, Committee Inquiry into
Commonwealth Department of participation requirements
Health and Ageing, March 2003and penalties, July 2002
2003 subscriptions are now due – see cover sheet
Brotherhood Comment is published three times a year by the Social Action Published in August 2003 by
Brotherhood of St Laurenceand Research Division of the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
67 Brunswick Street
The Brotherhood of St Laurence works for the well-being of Australians Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065 Australia
ABN 24 603 467 024on low incomes to improve their economic, social and personal circumstances.
It does this by providing a wide range of services and activities for families,
Telephone [phone]
the unemployed and the aged. It also researches the causes of poverty,
Facsimile 03 9417 2691
undertakes community education and lobbies government for a better deal E-mail [e-mail]
for people on low incomes.
2 August 2003 www.bsl.org.auThe cost of education
A study by The Smith Family (1999) estimated the cost of primary education for one child
in 1998 at $2800 per year, and of secondary education at $3500. A survey commissioned in
December 2002 by the Brotherhood of St Laurence provides evidence from 115 low-income
families about their struggle to afford education for their children. Researcher Helen
MacDonald completed the report.
Value of education and then stationery on top of this.
Our only income is from Centrelink,The families valued highly a ‘good
and it is very difficult to meet costs education’ but were upset at the
of both high and primary school. costs of obtaining it and the effect