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Wednesday 11 December 2019
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eNotices schedule over the break
Next week's eNotices on Wednesday 18 December 2019 will be the last full edition for 2019. We will send out job notice editions on 24 December 2019 and 8 January 2020. The full edition of eNotices will return on 15 January 2020.
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Operations Manager's update
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Keeping our community safe when disaster comes
Last week ACTCOSS took part in a meeting of the ACT Social Recovery Sub-Committee. ACTCOSS is a proud member of this joint government, emergency services and community sector working group, which seeks to provide support to the community when a whole-of-government response is required to an emergency in the ACT.
After one of the driest springs on record and with a hot, dry and windy summer ahead, we are facing bad fire conditions in Canberra. As we watch bushfires continue to develop across the east coast of Australia, we are reminded of the need to be aware of the resources in place to keep our community safe from natural disasters, and how we can assist in both the tactical and social recovery from such unfortunate events.
Please consider whether you are prepared for such disasters. Does your organisation have an emergency response or business continuity plan? Do you have survival and evacuation plans in place for your families? Do your clients or neighbours need support with disaster readiness or response?
The ACT Emergency services have advice and resources to assist Canberrans prepare for emergencies, including ways to help neighbours or friends who may be vulnerable or need greater assistance. The Red Cross also provide advice for household readiness.
In the event of an emergency, people in the ACT should refer to the ACT Emergency Services website or Facebook page, or tune in to the local ABC radio, TV and news sites. For our members and other ACT community organisations, ACTCOSS and Volunteering ACT will also provide valuable email communications and updates regarding emergencies in the ACT.
I provide all of the above resources and information with the strong hope that as a community we will be adequately prepared this summer, but never have to use it.
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Stephanie Crosby, Operations Manager
ACT Council of Social Service Inc. (ACTCOSS)
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There are 4 job notices this week, including one at ACTCOSS!
Would your organisation like to advertise? See the end of eNotices for more details.
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Be sure to check out the Aboriginal &/or Torres Strait Islander dates of significance & events below!
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Dangerous & outrageous – Councils of Social Service condemn proposed funding cut to national voice for First Nations women on domestic violence
10 December 2019: The Councils of Social Service across the country have joined together to urge the Morrison Government to reinstate funding to the National Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services Forum (NFVPLS) the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victims and survivors of domestic violence. Read the media release
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ACTCOSS & WCHM call on ACT Government to act on Healthy Prison Review recommendations
ACTCOSS and the Women’s Centre for Health Matters (WCHM) have welcomed the Healthy Prison Review of the Alexander Maconochie Centre 2019 report from the ACT Inspector of Correctional Services, released on Tuesday, and await the ACT Government’s response to the recommendations. Read more
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Building Better Boards: the ACTCOSS governance workshop program - 24 Feb
Session 1: Board Governance and Strategy, 9.30am to 12.30pm
An introduction to the roles, responsibilities and obligations of board members, principles of good governance, strategy vs management, office bearer roles, organisational culture, legal and financial responsibilities. It is an opportunity to ask questions and discuss common problems experienced by new board members.
Session 2: Financial Management – presented by Betty Ferguson, 1.30pm to 4.30pm
This workshop provides people on boards with a basic understanding of the role of the board in relation to financial management. You will learn to understand financial reports, the relationship between financial statements, the importance of budgets, good financial practice, risk management and internal controls.
When: Monday 24 February 2020, 9.30am to 12.30pm then 1.30pm to 4.30pm
Where: ACTCOSS meeting room, 1/6 Gritten St, Weston
Cost: Single workshop/Both workshops: ACTCOSS Members $110/$180,
Non-members $140/$240
(Too much for you or your organisation? Please contact us and we'll do our best to offer support to participate - Ryan Joseph actcoss@actcoss.org.au, 02 6202 7200)
Register: via Eventbrite
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Other learning & development events
Building Better Boards: the ACTCOSS governance workshop program, 24 Feb 2020, 9am to 12.30pm, 1.30pm to 4.30pm, $110-240
Building Resilient Communities: Resilience documentary screening & half-Day seminar by The Hope Project, 25 Feb 2020, 9am to 1pm, $97
Opening up Equality in the ACT: The New Discrimination Grounds, and Beyond, 7 Apr 2020, 9.30am to 1pm, FREE!
Peer network events
Leading Social Change Peer Network meeting, 13 Feb 2020, 5.30pm to 6.30pm, FREE!
Reconciliation Peer Network meeting, 27 Feb 2020, 10am to 11.30am, FREE!
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Government must stop cutting income support for people doing it tough
ACOSS, 4 December 2019: ACOSS calls on the Australian Government to stop cutting income support payments to people who are doing it tough. Read the media release
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Statement on the repeal of Medevac
ACOSS, 4 December 2019: ACOSS joins many others in condemning the Australian Government’s repeal of life-saving Medevac laws. Read the media release
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Australian climate roundtable renews joint policy principles
ACOSS, 5 December 2019: The Roundtable’s joint principles for climate policy, first agreed in 2015, set out common ground on the goals of climate policy and how to meet them. Today we release an update that strengthens these principles. Read the media release
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Take action on Raise the Rate
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Major ACT research report finds Centrelink is driving people into homelessness
Dangerously low Centrelink payments are driving people into poverty, and putting them at risk of homelessness This is the finding of a new research report Homeward Bound (pdf).
The report, authored by solicitor Sophie Trevitt and undertaken by the National Society Security Rights Network and Canberra Community Law, examined the experiences of 567 clients in the Australian Capital Territory. Read more
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Providing support to Stolen Generations survivors: resource for GP, dental and aged care services
These factsheets provide practical tips, tailored for each profession, for how staff and management can improve services to Stolen Generations survivors without triggering trauma. They were developed by The Healing Foundation in collaboration with Stolen Generations survivors and peak bodies.
Fact sheets for hospitals, allied health professionals and disability services will be available in early 2020.
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NDIA Planning Interim Report released
The Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme have released this interim report with 14 recommendations to improve the operation of the planning process and the NDIS more generally.
It examines a number of issues associated with NDIS planning process, with a particular focus on draft plans and joint planning. It considers that urgent action must be taken to ensure that NDIS participants are fully supported to achieve their goals.
The committee will holding additional public hearings, and proposes to present a final report to the Parliament in 2020.
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Australian Law Reform Commission calls for review into social enterprise structure
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) said in a report that an inquiry into social enterprise structures was needed, acknowledging that current structures were failing the needs of for-purpose businesses. Read more on Pro Bono News
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Contribute to decision making
Find consultations and other ways you can contribute to decision making.
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Mental health carers: ACT Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan
The joint regional ACT Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan is a five year plan that identifies local mental health and suicide prevention priorities and actions.
The Regional Plan Working Group is committed to hearing from consumers, carers, and health professionals to ensure our actions and measures of success reflect the needs and hopes of the broader community.
Mental health carers are invited to give feedback on the Implementation Plan and Performance Monitoring Plan via this online survey.
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Evoenergy Gas Network 2021–26 Plan
Evoenergy is developing its 2021–26 gas five-year plan. Have your say about the future of our ACT and Queanbeyan-Palerang gas network. Keep up-to-date with Evoenergy's gas network consultation program.
ACTCOSS is working with Evoenergy to support its engagement with vulnerable energy consumers in the development of the plan. If you'd like to find out more, please contact Geoff Buchanan, Senior Policy Officer (Research and Data) at geoff.buchanan@actcoss.org.au.
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Productivity Commission's Mental Health draft report
- prevention and early intervention for mental illness and suicide attempts
- close critical gaps in healthcare services
- investment in in long-term housing solutions forthose people with severe mental illnesswho lack stable housing
- assistance for people with mental illness to get into work and enable early treatment of work-related mental illness
- fundamental reform to care coordination, governance and funding arrangements.
Written submissions or comments are due by 23 January 2020 and there is a public hearing in Canberra on 15 November 2019, see below for details.
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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.
[NEW!] Elder abuse discussion paper, closes 29 Jan 2020
[NEW!] Inquiry into into the form of an evaluation of the role and performance of ACT Policing, terms of reference released, submission not yet open
[NEW!] Inquiry into Human Rights (Workers Rights), announced but submission not yet open
SPIRE Project: new emergency, surgical and critical health care facility on the Canberra Hospital Campus, [closing soon!] interest to join SPIRE Local Community Reference Group 12 Dec 2019
[Closing soon!] ACT heritage provisional listings: Mulligans Flat Aboriginal Stone Quarry & Aboriginal Places HA12 and HAC2, Hume, closes 16 Dec 2019
[Closing soon!] Canberra Nature Park, closes 16 Dec 2019
Mental health carers: ACT Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan, closes December 2019
Occupancy law and the share housing framework, closes 24 Jan 2020
Regulatory scheme for Child Safe Standards in the ACT, closes 28 Feb 2020
ACT planning review, research and consultation questions to be released late 2019, 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.
[NEW!] Regulatory arrangements for the National Broadband Network (NBN), closes 20 Dec 2019
[NEW!] AER National Energy Laws Enforcement and Penalties Framework, closes 6 Jan 2020
[NEW!] Unsolicited electronic and telephone communication from political parties and registered charities, closes 21 Feb 2020
[NEW!] Autism, closes 14 Apr 2020
[Closing soon!] National Obesity Strategy, closes 15 Dec 2019
[Closing soon!] Additional service fees in residential aged care, closes 17 Dec 2019
[Closing soon!] Australia’s Family Law system, closes 18 Dec 2019
Medical indemnity (prudential supervision and free health care for voluntary organisations) regulations, closes 11 Jan 2020
Food regulation policy guideline, closes 12 Jan 2020
Current barriers to patient access to medicinal cannabis in Australia, closes 17 Jan 2020
[Consultation paper released] Retirement Income Review, closes 3 Feb 2020
Unlawful underpayment of employees' remuneration, closes 14 Feb 2020
General issues around the implementation and performance of the NDIS, 30 June 2020
Building the national child and family wellbeing plan beyond 2020, no closing date specified
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[NEW!] Healthy Canberra Grants: Reducing smoking-related harm
Healthy Canberra Grants is seeking applications from community-based groups for programs that focus on preventing and reducing harm from smoking, including harms associated with electronic cigarettes and other new smoking products.
Read more and apply. Applications close 4pm Monday 17 February 2020.
Information session - 16 Dec
When: Monday 16 December 2019, 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Where: ACT Health’s Bowes Training and Conference Centre, 2 Bowes Street, Phillip.
RSVP to hpgrants@act.gov.au or 02 5124 9456.
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[Closing soon!] Awards to acknowledge amazing women
Do you know a woman in the ACT who makes an exceptional contribution to her profession or community?
Show your appreciation by nominating a woman you admire for the 2020 ACT Women’s Awards or for inclusion on the ACT Women’s Honour Roll. Winners and runners up will be announced as part of International Women’s Day celebrations in March 2020.
Nominations close 13 December 2019, 5pm. For enquiries please contact the ACT Office for Women on 02 6205 0515.
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 Aboriginal &/or Torres Strait Islander dates of significance & events
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ANNIVERSARY: Aboriginal Afffairs
19 December 1972
The Federal Government creates the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.
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[NEW!] ANNIVERSARY: Native Title
22 December 1993
Native Title Act 1993 passed in Parliament.
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[NEW!] ANNIVERSARY: Wik Decision
23 December 1996
Wik Peoples v The State of Queensland is decided by the High Court.
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Tips for your organisation
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Nonprofit guidelines for cybersecurity and policy
Although nonprofits confront the same cybersecurity risks as their for-profit counterparts, recent studies demonstrate that nonprofits generally lag their counterparts in adopting robust policies, practices, and tools to adequately secure (pdf) their environments.
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Words matter: creating a language guide to inform your comms
Is your nonprofit working on how it can be more inclusive? One of the many ways you can do that is through the messaging and content you produce. Words matter. Check out this collection of language guides to spark how your NFP can be more inclusive in its communications.
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Homeward Bound – Social Security and Homelessness
National Social Security Rights Network & Canberra Community Law, December 2019
There is insufficient affordable, social housing in the ACT. Restrictive housing rules and eligibility criteria often prolonged homelessness or placed people at risk of homelessness. The ACT lacks culturally appropriate housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and housing that met the needs of people with disabilities.
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A basic income for Australia? Exploring rationale, design, distribution and cost
Centre for Social Research and Methods, ANU, December 2019
This paper describes and models four options that would move the current Australian system towards a partial or categorical basic income scheme, combined with a wealth tax to keep the income tax rate relatively low. It finds such a scheme could help ease the marginal tax rates that affect families and welfare recipients, and would support people with low or fluctuating incomes more.
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Patterns of alcohol and other drug treatment service use in Australia, 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2018
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, December 2019
This report categorises 3 client groups based on their patterns of using alcohol and other drug treatment services across Australia: continual, episodic and transitory. Episodic service users had the highest proportion of clients who identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Transitory service users were younger, and more likely to receive treatment for another person’s drug use.
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The health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples: position paper (pdf)
Australian Association for Adolescent Health, December 2019
Information and practices to support youth life stage development from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective are not currently in use; these types of cultural knowledges and practices were forbidden under past government policy, which has excluded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from decision making about policies to protect health and bring about health and social equity.
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Debts and disappointment: mothers’ experiences of the child support system
Australian Energy Market Commission, December 2019
The national child support debt, currently recorded at $1.59 billion, severely harms families. These hardships were often exacerbated by the Centrelink benefit system. Single mother families indicated direct and quantifiable effects when child support is unpaid, late, sporadic and/or partial; predominantly financial insecurity as well as emotional and wellbeing impacts.
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Residential electricity price trends 2019: final report
Australian Energy Market Commission, December 2019
Over the three year period modelled by this report, consumers would save $97 (or 7.1%) on their electricity bills out to 2022. Wholesale costs are estimated to fall by around $62 for the representative consumer as more supply enters the market and demand remains flat. Network costs are estimated to decrease by $11 and environmental costs by $21.
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Prevalence of advance care planning documentation in Australian health and residential aged care services report 2019
Advanced Care Planning Australia, December 2019
Informed by a 2017 pilot advance care planning documentation prevalence study, the purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, characteristics and accessibility of statutory and nonstatutory advance care directives for older people at the point of care in Australian health and residential aged care services.
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Enabling engagement and inclusion: Organisational factors that embed Active Support in accommodation services for people with intellectual disabilities - summary report
Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University, December 2019
This report summarises findings from an Australian longitudinal study on the quality of support in group homes for people with intellectual disabilities. The study aimed to identify the organisational factors that influence the extent to which staff provide Active Support (a primary strategy to improve the quality of life of service users) and sustain its practice in organisations.
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Saving private health 2: Making private health insurance viable
Grattan Institute, December 2019
This report proposes policies that will help the private health insurance industry become sustainable as the population ages. It recommends moviing away from community rating to make hospital insurance sustainable; deregulating premiums for people aged below 55; and charging everyone aged 55 and over the same premium.
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Dangerous summer: escalating bushfire, heat and drought risk
Climate Council of Australia, December 2019
The projections for the summer of 2019/20 are extremely concerning: above average maximum temperatures for most of Australia with eastern Australia – already plagued by drought – likely to be drier than average. The period from January 2017 to October 2019 has been the driest on record for the MurrayDarling Basin as a whole.
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 Job Notices
For a small fee, your community organisation can submit a job notice to appear here in ACTCOSS eNotices and on the ACTCOSS website.
[NEW & closing soon!] Finance Manager - Relationships Australia Canberra and Region
Applications close: 16 December 2019
[NEW!] Toora Domestic Violence and Homelessness Service Case Coordinator - Toora Women
Applications close: 24 December 2019
[NEW!] Capability Officer - ACT Council of Social Service
Applications close: 13 January 2020
Mental Health Clinicians - CatholicCare Canberra and Goulburn
Applications close: 31 December 2019
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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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