I hope this edition of eNotices finds you well.
ACTCOSS has launched its annual stakeholder survey. Responses to the survey help to ensure that the work ACTCOSS does is appropriate for, and valued by, the community services sector and people in the ACT facing disadvantage. The survey is open to anyone who has engaged with ACTCOSS over the last year. The survey also asks you to indicate the priority areas for ACTCOSS’s ACT election advocacy. Please take time to complete the survey as it helps to ensure ACTCOSS is truly representative of the community services sector and vulnerable Canberrans.
As the weather gets colder in Canberra, we become acutely aware of the challenges for many Canberrans in paying their utilities bills. During COVID-19, individuals and families are staying at home for longer periods as we work, and school children, from our residences. Many in the community are also seeing dramatic decreases in income.
We are deeply concerned about the high levels of financial stress that many will face when bills arrive in the coming weeks and months. We are proud of the work that many ACTCOSS members are doing to improve energy efficiency of homes and to support those who face difficulties in payment. We will continue to support that work through our advocacy to governments, regulators and energy companies.
Don’t forget to check our regular COVID-19 updates which are distributed in addition to our regular eNotices. If you would like to subscribe to our COVID-19 updates, please email communications@actcoss.org.au.
As always, if you require any support or information from ACTCOSS, please do not hesitate to contact me at ceo@actcoss.org.au or 0424 910 617.
Best wishes
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 Dr Emma Campbell
Chief Executive Officer
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There are 7 job notices this week, including 3 from ACTCOSS.
Would your organisation like to advertise? See the end of eNotices for more details. Members get free ads until June!
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Be sure to check out the Aboriginal &/or Torres Strait Islander dates of significance & events below!
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Latest info on COVID-19 on our website
ACTCOSS is now hosting a list of all the past information updates we have sent to our members about COVID-19 on our website.
Read the latest editions:
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Take the annual ACTCOSS Stakeholder Survey!
Our annual ACTCOSS stakeholder survey is now open! It may take up to 15 minutes to do – we would really appreciate you taking the time to fill it out. You can give us as much information as you want to share or have time for.
We would greatly value your feedback on ACTCOSS’s performance over 2019 and your suggestions about how we can better serve you and the ACT community.
We would also be grateful if you could share this survey with other people who have worked with ACTCOSS and could provide us with useful feedback on our work.
Survey closes: Friday 15 May 2020, midnight.
Length: About 15 minutes.
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If you'd prefer to provide feedback in a different way, please email actcoss@actcoss.org.au, contact our staff to arrange a phone call, or fill out our online feedback form. ACTCOSS members can also provide feedback at our member teleconferences and meetings.
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Housing report highlights need to maintain JobSeeker increase
Media release, 30 Apr 2020: ACTCOSS today highlighted the importance of maintaining increased levels of income support and called for more government action to address the shortage of affordable housing in the ACT following the release of data on rental affordability in Canberra. Read the media release | Read the Rental Affordability Snapshot 2020 report
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ACTCOSS learning & development
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Some events may be changed from in person to video conferencing. We will let you know closer to the date. Find out more about our learning and development events.
Reconciliation
[GOING AHEAD, pending review] Reconciliation Peer Network meeting, 21 May, 10am to 11.30am, FREE!
[POSTPONED, NO NEW DATE YET] Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Education Program, 9.30am to 4.30pm, $330-$390
[GOING AHEAD, pending review] Strategic Indigenous Awareness with Grant Sarra, 20 Aug, 9.30am-4.30pm, $300-$360
[GOING AHEAD, pending review] Cultural Awareness on Country Tour with Richie Allan, 16 Oct, 9am-4.30pm, $540-660
Other learning & development events
[GOING AHEAD, pending review] Opening up Equality in the ACT: The New Discrimination Grounds, and Beyond, 25 Aug, 9.30am to 1pm, FREE!
Peer network events
[Next week!] ACT CASP Peer Network meeting, 12 May, 10am to 11.30am, FREE!
[Next week!] ACT Community Sector Communications Peer Network meetup, 13 May, 9.30am-11am, FREE!
Reconciliation Peer Network meeting, 21 May, 10am to 11.30am, FREE!
ACT Social Enterprise Peer Network meeting, 25 Jun, 5.30pm to 7pm, FREE!
ATSIComSec Network meeting, 29 May via video conference. Further information will be shared through the ATSIComSec Network soon or contact the Gulanga team on gulanga@actcoss.org.au to chat about this.
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Treasurer states we need a decent social security safety net
ACOSS media release, 5 May 2020: In a National Press Club address today, Treasurer Frydenberg has stated that we must ensure “a safety net which is underpinned by a sense of decency and fairness". Read the media release
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Poll shows majority support permanent JobSeeker fix
ACOSS media release, 5 May 2020: The majority of the community (57%) believes the JobSeeker payment should not be cut back down to the old Newstart rate, shows the national Essential Poll today, with 15% of respondents undecided. Read the media release
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Let's Never Go Back To $40 A Day
Monday 27 April marked the start of the $550 a fortnight Coronavirus Supplement. This will be paid to those receiving Newstart/JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, and other payments.
Over 1 million people will be temporarily lifted out of poverty (temporarily, since the Coronavirus Supplement is currently a 6-month payment).
There are some things – many things – to which we should never return.
We know there can be no going back to $40 a day (or less). Which is why we need your help to build the next phase of the campaign.
1) Contact Your MP. None of us can meet MPs at the moment, but we can still call them, and ask to have phone or Zoom meetings with them. Sign up to contact your MP, and tell them why we can never go back to $40 a day.
2) Share Your Story. Will your income be raised through the Coronavirus Supplement? Are you willing to speak out about how that extra income will help you to cover the basics, improve your health, and transform your circumstances? Share your views here.
3) Link Up. Raise the Rate supporters are connecting online, through our #RaiseTheRate Campaigners Facebook group, and through regional and state online groups that are keeping everyone connected and engaged.
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Refugee Action Committee General Meeting - 7 May
The Refugee Action Campaign Canberra (RAC) is part of a network of concerned citizens around Australia seeking the fair and humane treatment of refugees in Australia. They are non-partisan and work to raise public awareness about the government’s obligations to give refuge to asylum seekers and treat them with dignity and humanity.
The meeting will discuss 1. Political update and 2. Ideas for action. You can email the group to add items for discussion.
When: Thursday 7 May 2020, 6pm to 7pm
Where: video conference
Contact mail@refugeeaction.org for details about how you can join the meeting
Do you have website skills? If yes, RAC is looking for a volunteer, please contact them to help.
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Law For Non-Lawyers Family Law Basics: free workshop - 13 May
Family Law can be one of the most complex and difficult areas of law for people to navigate.
This free session delivered by the Women's Legal Centre aims to explain the basics of family law. It is designed for people who might be assisting people with family law problems or might work with people who are being impacted by family law. It will cover divorce and separation, property settlements, the welfare of children, and domestic violence.
When: Wednesday 13 May 2020, 9.30am
Where: online
Register to attend
Contact community.education@legalaidact.org.au
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'In My Blood It Runs' film and live Q&A : 2020 National Reconciliation Week event - 2 Jun
Have your workplace celebrate Reconciliation Week with us by having a team screening of In My Blood It Runs then joining a live Q&A. Watch the trailer
In celebration of Reconciliation Week, the In My Blood It Runs team is hosting a Tuesday afternoon Q&A with members of the filmmaking team, for workplaces to run as an educational and cultural learning event for their staff. Each ticket includes access to the film and a live Q&A around the filmmaking, impact campaign, and how workplaces and organisations can work to improve cultural safety.
When: Tuesday 2 June 2020, 2pm to 4.30pm
Where: online
Cost: $7 to $12.50 (If the cost is a barrier, or if you require a captioned version of the film, please contact hello@inmyblooditruns.com)
More info and to buy tickets
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ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body message - 1 May
Read the latest message from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body Chairperson (pdf), Katrina Fanning, from Friday 1 May 2020. The message includes updates on the out of hours school care, school transport, and accessing respiratory clinics.
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$4.5 million COVID-19 mental health support package to help Canberrans
Media release, Shane Rattenbury MLA, 6 May 2020: “Canberrans have had a very difficult start to 2020 with poor air quality, bushfires, a major hailstorm and now the COVID-19 pandemic. These events have taken a toll on the mental health of so many of us. The mental health and wellbeing of a community after one disaster is always concerning, let alone several in quick succession,” Shane Rattenbury, Minister for Mental Health said today. Read the media release
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Dispute resolution for residential tenants and landlords
Media release, Gordon Ramsay MLA, 6 May 2020: The ACT Government will invest in a mediation service to support landlords and tenants to resolve tenancy disputes arising due to COVID-19, to be delivered by Conflict Resolution Service. Read the media release
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Additional support for the VET sector and VET students
Media release, Chris Steel MLA, 5 May 2020: An additional 2405 Skilled Capital places will be released in coming weeks across 60 qualifications and 39 skills sets to provide more training options for Canberrans and tackle workforce demand and supply issues.
The Canberra Institute of Technology will also offer students, who cannot study their course online, the option to defer their studies in term two or study alternate units that can be delivered remotely. Read the media release
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Carers' experiences during the COVID-19 outbreak: survey
Results from this short survey will inform Caring Fairly’s advocacy to government around carers’ rights and help ensure carers are supported through the pandemic.
Take this 10-15 minute survey. You can go into the draw to win one of 10 $50 Coles/Myer vouchers. Contact Caring Fairly Coordinator Gemma Muir at campaigns@mindaustralia.org.au.
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Disability Legal Support service and newsletter
Your Story Disability Legal Support is here to provide legal support during COVID-19 (this service was previously called the Disability Royal Commission Legal Service).
Their staff are still available to provide information, advice and referrals through COVID -19. They can also give you legal support about safely engaging with the Disability Royal Commission by phone, Skype and email.
You can:
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Adequacy of Newstart and related payments: report
The Parliament of Australia released the report from the Senate inquiry on the adequacy of Newstart and related payments and alternative mechanisms to determine the level of income support payments in Australia.
The report finds major reform is needed to ensure the income support system provides an adequate safety net for working-age unemployed people and becomes a strong enabler for economic participation. Read the report
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Implementation of the National Redress Scheme: first interim report
The Joint Select Committee was formed to inquire into the Australian Government policy, program and legal response to the redress related recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The report finds that much more needs to be done to improve the experience of survivors when seeking redress through the Redress Scheme. Read the report
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ACNC update - 30 April 2020
This fortnight's ACNC Commissioner's Column discusses the most recent JobKeeper update for charities, meeting with the sector and more. Read the Commissioner's Column
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National Reconciliation Week: 27 May – 3 June
The anniversary dates which mark National Reconciliation Week (NRW) are significant milestones for reconciliation: 27 May - the 1967 Referendum, and 3 June - the High Court Mabo decision. While Reconciliation Australia have always encouraged people to come together during NRW, any organisations or networks planning events will need to reconsider these at this time in light of the latest advice from Federal, State, Territory and Local authorities.
Reconciliation Australia encourages everyone to think differently and creatively about what you had planned; take your events online, and join in social and digital media conversations. Of course reconciliation doesn’t just happen one week every year, so you may also wish to postpone your planned event.
Posters and digital resources are now available to download and print. Our theme for #NRW2020 – In This Together – is now resonating in ways we could not have foreseen when we announced it last year, but it reminds us whether in a crisis or in reconciliation, we are all #InThisTogether.
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Contribute to decision making
Find consultations and other ways you can contribute to decision making.
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[NEW!] Rights and Attitudes: disability issues paper
The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has released an issues paper (accessible versions available) looking at the awareness and recognition of the rights of people with disability.
The Royal Commission wants to learn more about:
- the level of awareness that people with disability, and the wider community, have about the rights of people with disability
- attitudes towards people with disability - how those attitudes develop and what can be done to change them.
The Royal Commission encourages responses from individuals and organisations to the issues paper by 31 July 2020, although submissions will also be accepted after that date. Find out more and make a submission
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National scoping study on outcome and impact measurement within the social impact investing sector
This scoping study will provide the Department of Social Services with evidence-based and market-informed guidance on actionable strategies to strengthen outcome measurement practices in the social impact investing sector. This builds on the work of the Australian Government’s Social Impact Investing Taskforce.
This consultation paper explains what they are doing, why and what they would like to hear from you about.
You can participate by:
- [Closing soon!] registering for a one hour, virtual roundtable on or before 7 May 2020. After you register, a calendar invitation with the link to attend will be sent via email
- completing a 20 minute online survey.
If you cannot attend a roundtable but would like to give feedback, please contact jthomas@urbis.com.au or 0410 356 056.
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Bushfire inquiry - feedback welcome
The Senate has referred the inquiry into lessons to be learned in relation to the preparation and planning for, response to and recovery efforts following the 2019-20 Australian bushfire season to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by the last sitting day in 2021.
The committee has agreed to extend the submission deadline from 9 April 2020. The new closing date for submissions is 22 May 2020.
ACTCOSS is planning a submission to this inquiry and welcomes continued feedback. Please contact craig.wallace@actcoss.org.au.
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ACT Government consultations
Here you'll find links to ACT Government consultations on the Your Say website and selected ACT Legislative Assembly inquiries.
Review of ACT emergency services responses to the 2019-20 bushfire season, closing 1 July 2020
COVID-19 pandemic response, open for submissions, no closing date specified
Tree planting across Canberra, ongoing
Planning for the Surgical Procedures, Interventional Radiology and Emergency Centre (SPIRE) and the Canberra Hospital campus and immediate surrounds:
- community consultation, ongoing until late 2020
- the ACT Legislative Assembly will hear the report before the end of the Ninth Assembly due to altered operations in the context of COVID-19, see the Terms of Reference
ACT planning review, sign up to follow updates
Light Rail: City to Woden, ongoing
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Commonwealth Government consultations
Please see the Parliament of Australia's website for a list of all current Senate, House and Joint Committee inquiries accepting public submissions.
Inquiry into the human rights of women and girls in the Pacific, closes 18 May 2020
[Extended] Lessons to be learned in relation the Australian bushfire season 2019-20, closes 22 May 2020
Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, closes 28 May 2020
Implementation of the National Redress Scheme, closes 29 May 2020
General issues around the implementation and performance of the NDIS, closes 30 June 2020
[Extended] Temporary Migration, closes 30 Jul 2020
[Suspended] Homelessness in Australia, ceased accepting submissions after 1 April 2020, with the intention of reopening the inquiry for new submissions at a later time.
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Resilient Australia Awards 2020
The Resilient Australia Awards celebrate projects and initiatives that capture disaster resilience in action across Australia. Community based organisations play a pivotal role in disaster awareness, response and community connectedness.
Submit across 6 categories – local government; school; community; business; government and photography. Read more and nominate. Applications close 18 May 2020. For more info call 02 6251 4060 or email events@volunteeringact.org.au
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Volunteering Awards Canberra region
Nominations for the 2020 Volunteering Awards have been extended! You can now nominate a volunteer for the 2020 Volunteering Awards, Canberra Region until Tuesday 30 June 2020. The ceremony for the 2020 Volunteering Awards has been postponed to later in 2020. Find out more and nominate |
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[NEW!] Small grants to inspire behaviour change to reduce greenhouse emissions and grow community gardens
The ACT Community Zero Emissions Grants program supports non-profit organisations and individuals to inspire behaviour change through innovative projects that demonstrate how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in different sectors such as energy, transport, building and waste.
The Community Garden Grants program helps groups develop and expand community gardens across Canberra, and may include established gardens, new gardens, school gardens and innovative gardens such as bush tucker gardens or gardens for people with disabilities.
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Small grants for community groups to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and power bills
The Energy Efficient Communities Program - Community Energy Efficiency and Solar Grants 2020 provides community groups with grants up to $12,500 for energy efficient equipment, energy generation and storage systems, and energy audits. This grant opportunity is for incorporated not-for-profit organisations.
Read more and apply before 5pm Monday 18 May 2020. There will be a maximum of 2 projects funded per electorate, with the first 2 eligible projects funded. For more info contact 13 28 46 or Andrew Marich, Community Engagement at 0404 046 384.
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Heritage Grants Program open
Applications for the 2020-2021 round are now invited from individuals, community groups and incorporated non-profit or private organisations.
The grants will provide $355,000 to identify and carry out projects that promote and conserve our local heritage.
Read more and apply before Friday 12 June 2020. For more info contact ACT Heritage Grants Officer at heritage@act.gov.au or phone Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
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COVID-19 Rapid Advocacy Fund
Australian Progress, together with Australian Communities Foundation and Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS), have launched the COVID-19 Rapid Advocacy Fund, a donor pool that can rapidly inject funds into strategic advocacy campaigns demanding ambitious policies in response to the pandemic in Australia.
We are looking for advocacy campaigns that will fight for policies that put our communities at the heart of the response to the pandemic, and have a clear plan to create real-world impacts.
Find out more and pitch your project here
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2020/2021 Indigenous Sports Grant Program (ISGP)
In 2020 the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council has taken over administration of the ACT Indigenous Sports Grants Program.
Read more (pdf) and apply (pdf). Applications close 30 June 2020. For more info contact sharon.brown@wbacc.gov.au or call 02 4442 1029.
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 Aboriginal &/or Torres Strait Islander dates of significance & events
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[NEW!] ANNIVERSARY: Stolen Generations
26 May 1997
Bringing Them Home, a report on the Stolen Generations, is released at the Australian Reconciliation Convention, Melbourne.
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[NEW!] ANNIVERSARY: Sorry Books
26 May 1997
Over one million Australians had signed ‘sorry books’. National Sorry Day is observed to recognise the Stolen Generations.
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[NEW!] ANNIVERSARY: National Day of Healing
26 May 2005
National Sorry Day is renamed National Day of Healing.
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[NEW!] ANNIVERSARY: Constitutional change
26 May 2013
RECOGNISE launch the ‘Journey to Recognition’.
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[NEW!] ANNIVERSARY: National Day of Healing
26 May 2005
National Sorry Day is renamed National Day of Healing.
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Tips for your organisation
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Data and privacy safeguards while working from home
Privacy experts have warned against letting privacy and data safeguards slip during lockdown. As many workforces now operate remotely with employees working from home, new privacy concerns are emerging. Read important info from two privacy experts.
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Guide to live video streaming
In-person events have been suspended indefinitely, but it’s more important than ever that you still continue to communicate with your audience, no matter where you’re at, instead of just falling silent. Why not try reaching your followers through live video streaming on social media? Here's how to livestream on all the platforms that offer it.
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A clean recovery: using Australia’s enormous renewable energy potential to create jobs and jump start the economy
Clean Energy Council, May 2020
A 'clean recovery' has enormous potential to utilise investment in renewable energy and energy storage to assist the national economic recovery effort, creating thousands of new jobs, empowering consumers, bringing economic activity to regional communities, lowering power prices and creating the smart infrastructure of the future.
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Transitioning from JobKeeper
Bruce Chapman, John Piggott, ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research, April 2020
This short paper addresses the question of how the JobKeeper program might be wound down at the end of its full subsidy term.
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After COVID-19: Australia and the world rebuild (Volume 1)
Australian Strategic Policy Institute, May 2020
This report offers policy-focused analysis of the world we will face once the pandemic has passed. The report analyses 26 key topics, countries and themes, ranging from Australia’s domestic situation through to the global balance of power, climate and technology issues.
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Ministerial briefing paper on evidence of the likely impact on educational outcomes of vulnerable children learning at home during COVID-19
Department of Education, Skills and Employment (Australia), April 2020
The purpose of this briefing paper is to provide evidence of the likely impact on educational outcomes for vulnerable children learning at home as a result of the COVID-19 response measures, and the merits of a range of delivery models.
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Doing research differently: archiving and sharing qualitative data in studies of childhood, education and youth
University of Melbourne, May 2020
This discussion paper explores directions and dilemmas in the archiving and sharing of qualitative research, taking a specific focus on studies of childhood, education and youth, predominantly from across the social sciences.
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Finding a silver lining: insights from an expansive study into Australia’s response to COVID-19
Global Centre for Modern Ageing, April 2020
In a national survey of more than 1,350 people, nearly one in five Australians (19%) aged over 60 believe social cohesion and wellbeing are likely positive outcomes from COVID-19 in Australia. 80% of older Australians surveyed were able to provide examples of support they had received from others.
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COVID-19 Roadmap to recovery: a report for the nation
Group of Eight Australia, April 2020
Over a hundred of the country’s leading academics developed this roadmap in less than three weeks, through remote meetings and a special collaborative reasoning platform, in the context of a rapidly changing pandemic.
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Tasmanian design principles for fiscal policy in the pandemic
The Australia Institute, April 2020
This paper provides design principles for evaluating such proposals to ensure that future spending packages are as effective as possible. In the long term, if the jobs that governments create in the coming year deliver lasting benefits then our community won’t be ‘saddled with debt’, it will be blessed with new assets.
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It's our ABC
Emma Dawson, For GetUp! by Per Capita, April 2020
The ABC's local production units, other than for news and current affairs, in Adelaide and Perth have been closed, along with five regional local radio newsrooms. A thousand jobs have gone since 2014. Many were senior journalists and producers, with centuries' worth of combined knowledge and experience.
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 Job Notices
To support our members during the COVID-19 pandemic, ACTCOSS are offering free job ads for members until June 2020.
For a small fee, your community organisation can submit a job notice to appear here in ACTCOSS eNotices and on the ACTCOSS website.
[NEW!] Capability Manager - ACTCOSS
Applications close 15 May 2020
[NEW!] Mediator / Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) - Relationships Australia Canberra and Region
Applications close 24 May 2020
[NEW!] Counsellor - Meridian (formerly AIDS Action Council)
Applications ongoing
Therapeutic Counsellor (Wagga Wagga) - Relationships Australia Canberra and Region
Applications close 10 May 2020
Administrative Support Officer - ACTCOSS
Applications close 11 May 2020
Operations Manager - Fixed term maternity leave position - ACTCOSS
Applications close 18 May 2020
Speech Pathologist - CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn
Applications close 20 May 2020
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Event advertising in eNotices: Do you have a conference, training course, fundraising function or other event with an entry fee that you'd like to advertise in eNotices? For a small fee we can include events relevant to the community sector. Spaces are limited. Please contact communications@actcoss.org.au for more information. Free events do not incur a fee.
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