We make policy submissions in the areas of human rights, women’s equality, financial security, educational and vocational access, and other issues that impact significantly on people's lives. Our policy analysis is informed by our direct service experience and contact with those with lived experience of the issues.
Submission to the Senate Education and Employment Committees: The Appropriateness and Effectiveness of the Objectives, Design, Implementation and Evaluation of jobactive
The welfare of all children is a family and a whole-of-community responsibility. This required building capacity of families, community members, community services, educators, and government departments alike. In doing so, it is imperative to acknowledge and address the structural barriers that many individuals and families face, such as poverty and disadvantage that exacerbate family circumstances which can lead to child abuse or neglect. Much like many other social issues, there is no one solution. If we are to strengthen the capacity of the community, including families to protect the safety of children, and increase their wellbeing, a myriad of responses are needed, and at multiple levels.
NSW General Purpose Standing Committee No. 2 into Child Protection
In this submission, we acknowledge that gender equality is more than merely increasing the proportion of women in leadership positions, reducing the gender pay gap, or leveling out the nature of care between men and women. Fundamentally, to achieve gender equality is to realise and live in a society where every individual is respected, recognised, celebrated, rewarded and afforded the same opportunities as the next person.
Good Shepherd's submission to the Victorian Government's Gender Equity Strategy - Exposing the Link between Gender Inequality and Violence discussion paper takes a gender transformative approach, arguing for the application of a gendered lens as a central tenet in responding to women's inequality in Victoria, through legislative and policy reform.
Gender Equality Strategy for Victoria: Exposing the link between gender inequality and violence
Good Shepherd was given the opportunity to comment on this proposed amendment. Good Shepherd supports the proposed amendment. Promoting women’s economic security is a human rights concern and is critical in achieving gender equality. This legislative change will facilitate the promotion of remuneration equity, with the ultimate aim to achieving wage parity between men and women.
Good Shepherd responded to the Victorian Government's Security of Tenure Issues Paper as part of a review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.
In this submission to the Senate Inquiry into Economic Security for Women in Retirement, we highlight the multi-faceted nature of women's economic security and how the gendered nature of care and the gendered pay gap has significant negative impacts on women's financial wellbeing throughout their lifespan. When compounded with experiences of family violence, women's ability to attain economic security is severely limited. Our submission practical recommendations to facilitate an increase of women's security in retirement.
In a joint submission with Goulburn Valley Family Care, the WRAP Centre made specific comments on the viability and sustainability of the national No Interest Loan Scheme network, which is a critical component in ensuring safe, fair and affordable credit alternatives for low-income consumers.
Submission to the Review into the Small Amount Credit Contract Laws
Good Shepherd was invited to make a submission to the Senate Economics Reference Committee Inquiry into Matters Relating to Credit Card Interest Rates and subsequently appeared as a witness, resulting in several references in the Senate report. The submission drew attention to the hardship created by high interest rates as well as circumstances of debt created through economic abuse in the context of family violence.
Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand is one of the leading analysts of the impact of state school education costs on families living on low income. Over the years we have advocated in many submissions for genuinely free education and increased support for those families. Most recently we made a policy submission to the Victorian Government’s reviews of parent payments and school funding review. The Low Income Awareness Checklist is recognised as a valuable tool in encouraging schools to modify their policies and processes to ensure costs are not a barrier to school engagement.
The intention of this review was 'to ensure the Charter remains flexible, and effective in supporting community values and aspirations in Victoria'. In light of this, our submission reinforced the value of the Charter, as well as suggesting amendments to respond to ongoing and emerging concerns in the Victorian community.
Submission to Victorian Government Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Review
Our submission to Victoria's Royal Commission into Family Violence in 2015 focused on governance and policy reforms, women's decapitalising experience of family violence, prevention and response and recovery. At the core of our submission is a belief that gender organising principles must be the central tenet in responding to, addressing and preventing family violence because gender inequality is at the crux of this pervasive societal issue.
We work collectively to achieve impact and provide leadership to the policy community through our Power to Persuade initiative. We also exchange information and support campaigns through our @Good Advocacy Twitter account.
