Policy submissions
Policy submissions to government and other inquiries are an important way of advocating for improved circumstances for people using our services.
Recent policy submissions include:
Good Shepherd's response to Small Amount Credit Contracts discussion paper May 2012 (PDF 209.88 KB)
Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service made a joint submission with Good Shepherd Microfinancewhich contended that only effective way of protecting consumers from high cost loans is by regulating the fringe lending sector to ensure safer lending practices. These issues are commented on in our previous submission and we would encourage government to maintain these important measures.
This submission by Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service and Rosemount Good Shepherd Youth & Family Services contended that the diligent, transparent and ongoing pursuit of our national obligations as signatory to international human rights treaties is so critical that it cannot be regarded as simply another policy framework. To ensure the protection of the most vulnerable groups, and thereby the protection of all, implementation must continue regardless of the fiscal mood.
This submission to the Department of Human Service's Office of Women's Policy focussed on the direct experience of Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service in the area of family violence. It made several recommendations to improve responses to family violence as part of the Action Plan for Addressing Violence Against Women and Their Children.
Submission to the Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs Feb 2012 (PDF 288.34 KB)
In our submission to the Inquiry into the "Social Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2011" we contended that the Bill should be opposed because compulsory income management discriminates on the basis of low income and undermines the dignity of the person and removes, without proper safeguards and processes, the widely accepted right to financial autonomy.
Submission to the Inquiry into Family Violence and Commonwealth Laws September 2011 (PDF 206.39 KB)
In our submission to this important Inquiry into the Family Violence and Commonwealth Laws we welcomed the proposals to ensure a consistent and comprehensive definition of family violence, including economic abuse, in legislation affecting family violence. We contended that this will go a long way towards ensuring harmonising and coherence of policies that are related to family violence.
Review of the Human Rights Charter June 2011 (PDF 495.7 KB)
This submission to the Victorian Government strongly supports the concept of a Human Rights Charter, and makes a series of recommendations to the Victorian Government aimed at ensuring the rights and freedoms of all Victorians are protected.
Submission to Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry April 2011 (PDF 406.7 KB)
We contend in this submission that a public health model for the protection of Victoria’s vulnerable children is the best way to meet demand pressures because it prevents the escalation of problems reaching the point of child abuse and neglect.
Submission to Federal Government School Funding Review March 2011 (PDF 703 KB)
This submission welcomes a Federal Government review of funding arrangements for schools and makes recommendations on overhauling funding arrangements to create an environment that provides the best hope of improving the quality of education for students from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Submission to the Review of Job Seeker Compliance System July 2010 (PDF 119.1 KB)
This submission presents Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service's views - backed by comprehensive evidence and informed by our vision of a fairer world - to an Australian Government review on the Job Seeker Compliance System introduced by Federal Parliament in July 2009.
Submission on Flexible Learning Options June 2010 (PDF 283.5 KB)
This submission asserts that relationships with educators are central to learning for the most marginalised students, and that relying on an engaging curriculum or peer relationships to improve educational outcomes is not sufficient. The paper recommends re-aligning existing resources to emphasise these relationships to help keep these students engaged in education.
Skills Review submission May 2010 (PDF 587.0 KB)
This submission highlights concerns about the implementation of the Skills For Victoria policy and its impact on the affordability and accessibility of vocational education and training for Victorians, particularly those already experiencing disadvantage and exclusion.
Submission on Family Violence and Social Security May 2010 (PDF 932.3 KB)
Family violence requires careful and specific consideration in relation to social security law. With this in mind, this submission suggests all Centrelink procedures should place safety as the uppermost consideration, while also providing an alternative source of financial security while women re-establish their lives after family violence.
Submission on the new segmented waiting list Jan 2010 (PDF 46.2)
We prepared this submission on proposed changes to the public housing segmented waiting list because they had the potential to directly affect those individuals and families who seek our services. The submission agrees that the current system is inadequate and expresses our concern that subsequent strains on transitional housing affect numerous people battling disadvantage.
Submission to the National Credit Reform Green Paper 2010 (PDF 472.1 KB)
Individuals living on low incomes are particularly vulnerable to lack of access to suitable credit products; inadequate information about credit options; and unscrupulous practices by financial institutions. Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service therefore supports credit regulation which ensures both a non-exploitative market and adequate information and support for the individual.
Response to the Exposure Draft Family Law Amendment (Family Violence) Bill 2010 (PDF 352.7 KB)
This response paper supported the principles underpinning the proposed amendments to the Family Law Act, and made some further important recommendations to ensure the centrality of the safety and wellbeing of women and children in the administration of the law.
Letter to the Parliamentary Enquiry Social Housing 2010 (PDF 41.3 KB)
The current stock of public housing is inadequate to growing demand, with limited supply for larger families and those with specific needs including women, seniors, the homeless, indigenous Victorians, refugees, people with a mental illness, substance abuse and/or disability. This letter makes recommendations to address these issues in response to an invitation to comment on the terms of reference for the Inquiry into the Adequacy and Future Directions of Public Housing in Victoria.
Recent policy submissions undertaken on behalf of Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand (GSANZ) include:
Submission on family violence immigration law April 2011 (PDF 208.4 KB)
This submission contends that any reforms to deal with family violence in immigration law must cut across the continuum of care, from prevention through crisis and post-crisis intervention. The ultimate aim of any such reforms should be to support victims of family violence and deter such behaviour in Australia.
Submission on forced and servile marriage March 2011 (PDF 179.3 KB)
This response to a Discussion Paper on forced and servile marriage is informed by GSANZ's extensive experience in supporting tens of thousands of women, families and young people across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region (many of whom have been among the most marginalised and economically disadvantaged groups in society). The response paper advocates action across the continuum of prevention, intervention and post-crisis intervention to support victims of forced and servile marriage, and to deter such marriage practices in Australia.
Submission on Attorney General's inquiry into trafficking of labour Feb 2011 (PDF 136.8 KB)
Women and children are particularly vulnerable to trafficking and related forms of exploitation. This submission recommends a range of law reforms including a new offence of ‘forced labour’, the making of a new indictable offence of debt bondage, an amendment to the Crimes Act to explicitly provide that a reparation order can be made in relation to non-economic loss, a compensation fund for victims of federal crimes, and greater protection for vulnerable witnesses.