I hope this email finds you well.
As some states and territories begin to consider relaxing some restrictions, the COSS network is looking beyond the immediate response to COVID-19 to advocate on a stimulus package.
Our national peak body, ACOSS, is calling on the Commonwealth Government to invest in measures that will create jobs and support communities. ACOSS’s proposals are:
- Permanently increasing income supports to people most in need to stimulate spending and wellbeing
- Create a national low-income energy productivity program.
- Build 30,000 social housing dwellings to reduce homelessness and deliver jobs
- Close the gaps in home care services to focus on people most at risk and create jobs
- Commit to preventing long-term structural unemployment.
Read more details about ACOSS’s stimulus proposals.
ACTCOSS will be calling on the Territory Government to support these proposals through National Cabinet. We will also be consulting with our members to identify key opportunities for post-COVID-19 investment by the ACT Government that can stimulate the economy while improving the wellbeing of Canberrans.
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 5 job notices this week, including 2 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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ACT community services support National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services’ COVID-19 policy statement
Joint statement, 24 Apr 2020: ACTCOSS has united with the Women’s Centre for Health Matters, the Women’s Legal Centre ACT and Professor Lorana Bartels to support the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services’ (NATSILS) COVID-19 policy statement and to call for its implementation in the ACT. Read the media release
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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
[POSTPONED from 24 April to 20 Aug, pending review] Strategic Indigenous Awareness with Grant Sarra, 20 Aug, 9.30am-4.30pm, $300-$360
[POSTPONED from 1 May to 16 Oct, pending review] Cultural Awareness on Country Tour with Richie Allan, 16 Oct, 9am-4.30pm, $540-660
Other learning & development events
[POSTPONED from 7 April to 25 Aug] Opening up Equality in the ACT: The New Discrimination Grounds, and Beyond, 25 Aug, 9.30am to 1pm, FREE!
Peer network events
[GOING AHEAD, pending review] ACT CASP Peer Network meeting, 12 May, 10am to 11.30am, 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 meetings, postponed until further notice.
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ACOSS recovery proposals for job creation and poverty reduction
ACOSS media release, 29 Apr 2020: The Australian Council of Social Service has today released proposals for five job-rich measures that will help people and communities to recover from the coronavirus crisis. Read the media release
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ACOSS Statement on changes to JobKeeper eligibility for charities and not-for-profits
ACOSS media release, 27 Apr 2020: ACOSS welcomes changes to JobKeeper eligibility for charities and not-for-profits announced by the Federal Government on Friday, which will help ensure that crucial services can continue to be provided to those most at risk in this crisis. Read the media release
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Let's Never Go Back To $40 A Day
Monday April 27th marks 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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ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body message - 24 April
Read the latest message from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body Chairperson (pdf), Katrina Fanning, from Friday 24 April 2020 (pdf). The message includes updates on the Education Directorate, ACT Jobs Package and Elected Body elections.
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National Agreement on Closing the Gap still the top priority
Pat Turner, Lead Convener of the Coalition of Peaks, has provided an update on finalising a new National Agreement on Closing the Gap with Australian governments remaining their number one priority. Read the update
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body election delayed due to COVID-19
The term of the current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB) has been extended by one year due to the challenges in holding an election during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more
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Working with vulnerable people (WWVP) registration extended
If your Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) registration expires on or after 16 March 2020, your registration has been extended.
You will receive a new renewal notice after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency has formally ended, which might be some months away.
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[Closing soon!] Vacancies on the ACT Disability Reference Group
There are upcoming vacancies available on the ACT Disability Reference Group (DRG) for persons with disability, with experience as a carer of a person with disability, or experience of the disability services sector.
Diversity of membership on the DRG is critical to reflect the diversity of the disability community within the ACT. They are specifically looking for incoming members with psychosocial disability, neurodiversity, cognitive disability, women with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, people who identify as LGBTIQ+ with disability and carers of people with disability.
Read more and apply (docx). Contact the OfficeforDisability@act.gov.au by email or at 02 6207 1086. Applications now close 1 May 2020.
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Survey: Living well in the ACT in challenging times
The University of Canberra is conducting a survey about the impacts of COVID-19, bushfire and hailstorm. It also seeks views on the ACT region more generally, the liveability of your local area, your health and wellbeing, your access to health services, social connections, personal responsibilities such as work and caring, and the home you live in.
Read more and complete the survey. If you complete the survey by midnight, 4 May 2020, you can win 1 of 13 prizes in the form of gift cards from $100 to $1,000.
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Contribute to decision making
Find consultations and other ways you can contribute to decision making.
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[NEW!] 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:
- 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.
[Closing soon!] Curtin group centre and adjacent residential areas zone changes: Draft Variation 363, closes 4 May 2020
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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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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[Extended] 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 & closing soon!] Ginninderry Sponsorship Program
The Ginninderry Sponsorship Program encourages and supports the development of community and industry initiatives that:
- contribute to and support the community in which we operate and to build social capital within the West Belconnen region
- encourage development of local sporting, arts and other community groups as a way of increasing social cohesion
- pursue opportunities for industry partnerships that will facilitate innovation
- provide opportunities to achieve and highlight Ginninderry’s environmental and sustainability aims.
Read more and apply before 30 April 2020. For more info contact 1800 316 900
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[NEW!] 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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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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[Closing soon!] Individual Capacity Building Grant Round 2020-2021
The Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) Individual Capacity Building (ICB) grant round has up to $85 million for projects up to two years. These projects will enable systematic, nationwide access to peer support, mentoring and other skills-building for people with disability, carers and families.
Read more and apply. Applications close 2pm 6 May 2020. For more info contact 1800 020 283 (option 1) or email support@communitygrants.gov.au
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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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ANNIVERSARY: Repatriation
30 April 1976
After Palawa reclaim Truganini’s remains, Truganini is cremated and her ashes scattered in a channel close to her birthplace and homeland.
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ANNIVERSARY: Pilbara Strike
1 May 1946
An estimated 800 Aboriginal pastoral workers from 27 stations in WA walked off the job for better pay and conditions. The strike lasted 6 years, the longest in Australian history.
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Tips for your organisation
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What does good board diversity look like?
We live and work in a diverse society with its complexities and challenges, as well as richness of cultures and perspectives. It is important for this same diversity to be present on organisation boards. Diversity can include culture, gender and age, as well as lived experience, skills and even board tenure. Find out more about what good board diversity looks like.
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Stay connected with virtual community events
Virtual events can help bring that sense of community back through online meet-ups and livestreams. And with the technology available, you might even consider expanding your community to bring even more people together around your cause. Get tips on hosting virtual events and see examples from other organisations.
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Redesign of a homelessness service system for young people
Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, April 2020
This research identifies measures that could reduce youth homelessness and lead to improved outcomes for young people who experience homelessness. The findings are based on a community-level analysis of special homelessness services data and sites of innovation in three states: South Australia, NSW and Victoria.
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Brief: Unpacking the challenges in the rental market during COVID-19
Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, April 2020
Although the Commonwealth Government has announced a moratorium on rental evictions due to the coronavirus for six months, residential tenancy laws are the responsibility of the states and territories, and as such vary across the country. What are the policy options and how is each state faring?
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Prevention of violence against women and safer pathways to services for migrant and refugee communities
Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety, April 2020
The CALD PAR initiative was funded by DSS from December 2017 to June 2020. It involved 26 projects aimed at the prevention violence against women and creating safer pathways to crisis and support services responding to family violence in CALD communities. This report provides key insights into what works.
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The feasibility and utility of using coded ambulance records for a violence surveillance system: a novel pilot study
Australian Institute of Criminology, April 2020
The primary aim of this study was to pilot the use of coded ambulance clinical records for violence surveillance at the population level, similarly to work done in an established surveillance system of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and mental health-related harms.
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Care fit for carers: ensuring the safety and welfare of NHS and care workers during and after COVID-19
Institute for Public Policy Research, April 2020
This report provides new evidence on the experience of the healthcare workforce during COVID-19 to date – from IPPR/YouGov polling of healthcare workers and the general public; an IPPR consultation; and from literature review.
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Redesigning employment services after COVID-19
Per Capita, April 2020
Current estimates suggest as many as 700,000 people may soon be signed up to Jobactive employment services. This discussion paper argues there is a need to redesign employment services to better meet the needs of people experiencing unemployment after the COVID-19 economic shock.
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The socioeconomics of pandemics policy
Brookings Institution, April 2020
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world have provided a massive fiscal and monetary stimulus. While this policy is welcome in the short run, the author of this paper argues that it does not address the underlying problem in the medium and long run.
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Supporting culture in the digital age
International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies, April 2020
Prepared between November 2019 and March 2020, this report explores how the digital age has changed the cultural value chain by reviewing existing literature and insights, as well as a range of actors in the cultural ecosystem.
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Understanding how people with dementia use health services in their last year of life
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, April 2020
Of health service users studied, 27% were identified as having dementia and 73% had no record of dementia. This report showed that people with dementia who died aged 65 and over used health services less than people without dementia in their last year of life, with the exception of GP services.
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6291.0.55.001 - Labour Force, Australia, Detailed - Electronic Delivery, Mar 2020
Australian Bureau of Statistics, April 2020
The ABS is and will monitor potential impacts from COVID-19 on Labour Force statistics.The reference period for March was 1-14 March, which was before the pandemic was declared and before actions to contain the spread of the virus. Note the spotlights on Classifying people during the COVID-19 period and Impacts of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on trend estimation and seasonal adjustment in the Labour Force Survey
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 Job Notices
[NEW!] 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!] Operations Manager - Fixed term maternity leave position - ACTCOSS
Applications close 18 May 2020
[NEW!] Administrative Support Officer - ACTCOSS
Applications close 11 May 2020
[NEW!] Therapeutic Counsellor (Wagga Wagga) - Relationships Australia Canberra and Region
Applications close 10 May 2020
[NEW!] Speech Pathologist - CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn
Applications close 20 May 2020
[Closing today!] Data Analyst - Relationships Australia Canberra and Region
Applications close 29 April 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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