Other Advocacy Work - Uniting Care Australia

Indexation of Income Support Payments welcome. 5 September

"All Australians deserve a dividend from good economic times" - Opinion piece by Susan Helyar in The Age . 3 September

Major church groups call for a ten year plan to overcome poverty. 20 August

UnitingCare's Election Report Card released. 19 August

Both Major Parties fall short on Social Policy Commitments. 19 August

A report card on Aged Care election promises. 18 August

New lease of life for social services welcome. 9 August

UnitingCare Australia launches Key Social Policy Priorities for the 2010 Federal Election at Parliament House. 2 August

Draft Child Protection Standards welcome but independent National Children's Commissioner needed. 7 July

Time for Action on Gambling. 23 June

Vulnerable Australians miss out because of red tape. 31 May

Budget 2010: Election is now the best chance for the Government to deliver on its Social Inclusion Agenda. 11 May

2010 Budget priorities for action. 10 May

UnitingCare Australia calls for Ministerial Taskforce following Henry Review. 2 May

Other Advocacy Work

Aside from our key advocacy priorities, UnitingCare Australia also engages in other advocacy work, speaking with and on behalf of those who are the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, for the common good.

Find out below about our advocacy work in these areas:

Financial Health and Wellbeing

Why is Financial Health and Wellbeing an advocacy priority?

UnitingCare Australia believes that emergency relief and financial counselling services are a critical part of the social fabric of Australia. They were first funded by the Australian Government in response to the economic downturn of the 1970s, and more than thirty years later it is time that these services are reconfigured and strengthened so they are able to meet the contemporary and emerging needs of people experiencing deprivation, hardship and financial exclusion and build their financial stability, capacity, capability and wellbeing.

Demand for emergency relief and financial counselling services has been growing over the past decade or more of economic prosperity. This increase in demand has been coupled with an increasing level in the complexity of needs being exhibited by people seeking assistance. To be effective over the long term, service responses must be tailored to diverse needs and capabilities and support people to engage with opportunities to enhance their financial health and wellbeing. People need access to information, advocacy and options, presented in a way that they understand, to deal with their current needs, identify their strengths and the barriers they face and build their capacity in the longer term for financial stability and wellbeing.

Key advocacy actions

Welfare reform
Income support justice (including the adequacy of income support and opposing conditional welfare)
The reform of emergency relief and financial counselling programs

Disability

Why are Disability Services an advocacy priority?

UnitingCare services have a long and proud history of working with people living with disabilities, their families and communities, providing housing, services and support. Every day agencies partner with individuals, families and communities to ensure all Australians have access to a decent life. This includes appropriate food, clothing, housing and health care; meaningful work, education, rest and recreation; and the opportunity to participate in communities as fully as they wish and are able.

Key advocacy actions

National Disability Insurance Scheme

UnitingCare Australia is convinced that a no fault a National Disability Insurance Scheme would help transform the lives of people living with disabilities by ensuring proper investment in services and supports for them, driving a focus on early intervention and better enabling people to reach their potential. UnitingCare services have been working for several years with other service providers in the disability sector to advocate for establishment of this sort of insurance scheme.

Reform of the Disability Employment Network

UnitingCare Australia has been working with the Federal Government for a more flexible model for disability employment services that will cater to people’s individual needs, see a reduction of red tape, stronger training incentives and uncapped services.