Publications

The ‘Shared Strength’ document summarises the advocacy journey, and features some parents’ answers to the question “What is the most important feedback about the child protection system that you would like to give?”. Deeper detail, in fact dozens of pages of direct quotes from parents are available in the full transcript of parents voices 2018–19.

‘Shared Strength’ also commemorates the significant commitment - in 2019 - to a permanent Queensland Parent Advisory Committee of parents, the Minister, and Department of Child Safety.

The evaluation includes references to both the process and outcomes of the Hope Street Cafes in relation to:

• creating pathways towards economic participation, particularly for people who have been excluded from the labour market for long periods of time;
• creating opportunities for social inclusion and participation, growing social capital in the two locations through fostering community engagement in and around the Cafes;
• using a social enterprise model to not only create outcomes, but also build on-going viability and sustainability into revenue models that can contribute to innovative programs and initiatives at Micah Projects.

Built for Zero (formerly Zero: 2016) is a rigorous national change effort working to help a core group of committed communities end veteran and chronic homelessness in the USA. Coordinated by Community Solutions, the national effort supports participants in developing real time data on homelessness, optimising local housing resources, tracking progress against monthly goals, and accelerating the spread of proven strategies.

“Poverty is not caused only by individual circumstances, but also by major inequalities built into the structure of Australian society. Some of the main causes of this inequality and poverty are access to work and income, education, housing, health and community services”.

Source: Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) (2011). Poverty and its Causes. Poverty Report Update, page 8.

"Australia and its jurisdictions need a tailored response that raises policy to the forefront in regard to the issue of older women and their financial and housing insecurity and the impact of financial and housing insecurity on their health, wellbeing, participation and independence."

"Remembrance Day 2017 falls within the last year of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Australia. The Royal Commission has brought national attention to the prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse and related issues within institutional settings: institutions which were established to care for, protect, nurture and educate children.

Instead, cultures of neglect and secrecy were created for the purpose of protecting institutions, and covering up criminal activities and abuse of power, leaving the legacy of lifetimes of pain and loss for victims and survivors of the abuse.

Many reports have validated that abuse and crimes did occur, as well as the impact on children throughout their adult life.

The Royal Commission has had the power and mandate to put on public record the responses and, in many cases, the cover-ups by the institutions when abuse and or crimes were reported by children or other adults.

We pay tribute to each of you with us today. We remember those who have passed away and those at home."

Excessive inequality in any society is harmful. When people with low incomes and wealth are left behind, they struggle to reach a socially acceptable living standard and to participate in society.

For more information visit ACOSS Inequality webpage.