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"Exactly a decade ago in 2008, the Australian government committed to an ambitious strategy to halve national homelessness by 2020. Through stepped-up early intervention, better homelessness services and an expanded supply of affordable housing, the problem would be tackled with conviction. Instead, as succeeding governments regrettably abandoned the 2008 strategy, homelessness in Australia has been on the rise."

“Our report shows that characterisations of the poorest Australians as a burden on the economy are inaccurate and, if we are to worry about unnecessary imposts on the budget, there is a very strong case for reducing tax concessions and other direct benefits to our wealthiest citizens,” Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers.

For the first time since 2013, an agreement between the federal and state governments has been reached to provide funding in a five-year blocks to let agencies plan long-term to fight rising homelessness.

In Queensland, that means assured five-year funding for 89 non government organizations to provide 170 specialist homelessness services.

South Australia will opt into the National Redress Scheme for sexual abuse survivors after a deal was struck to recognise the state’s already established compensation scheme, Premier Jay Weatherill says.

Mr Weatherill had previously held out from opting in to a national scheme, arguing SA should not have to “pay twice” because other states had been slow to set up redress schemes.

The federal scheme provides much greater compensation for victims, granting payments of up to $150,000, as well as access to psychological support.

In contrast, the state scheme’s compensation is capped at $50,000 for cases before 2015, and $100,000 for cases after that.

"When the nation’s premiers and chief ministers fronted the media on Friday, following their COAG meeting with the prime minister, there was one notable issue missing from the post-meeting remarks.

It’s almost impossible to imagine the horror that was inflicted on these children, and the psychological burden they’ve carried since.

And yet now the very governments and institutions that let them down in the first place are squabbling over the cost and political implications of establishing a national scheme that will provide little more than token compensation."

"The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists commends the Queensland Government's acknowledgment of the past harmful mental health treatment of children in state care, and supports its commitment to meaningfully reconciling with all those affected."

"The Commissioners thank each of the survivors who told us their story. They have had a profound impact on the Commissioners and our staff. Without them we could not have done our work. Each survivor’s story is important to us. Their stories have helped us to identify what should be done to make institutions safer for children in the future. It has been a privilege for the Commissioners to sit with and listen to survivors. The survivors are remarkable people with a common concern to do what they can to ensure that other children are not abused. They deserve our nation’s thanks," The Hon. Justice Peter McClellan AM.

"Sexual abuse of children has occurred in almost every type of institution in Australia where children lived or attended."

Brisbane Roar’s Westfield W-League side has banded together to support the Brisbane Domestic Violence Service in raising awareness through the Orange The World campaign.

The global campaign, which is designed to raise awareness around violence against women and young girls, spans from November 25 through to December 16 with ’16 days of activism.’

"Australian research, with Sydney's Way2Home and Brisbane and Melbourne Street to Home programs, has shown that with skilled assertive outreach workers, permanent affordable housing, and flexible, voluntary, and ongoing support, people who have lived on the streets for the longest with the most significant problems can immediately exit homelessness and sustain housing."