A blueprint for a just recovery - Jesuit Social Services' Federal Election Platform April 2022
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A blueprint for a just recovery
Jesuit Social Services’ Federal Election Platform
April 2022
1
Jesuit Social Services: Who we are and what we do
Jesuit Social Services has been working for 45 Research, advocacy and policy are coordinated
years delivering support services and advocating across all program and major interest areas of Jesuit
for improved policies, legislation and resources to Social Services. Our advocacy is grounded in the
achieve strong, cohesive and vibrant communities knowledge, expertise and experiences of program
where every individual can play their role staff and participants, and academic research and
and flourish. evidence. We seek to influence policies, practices,
legislation and budget investment to positively
We are a social change organisation working with
influence people’s lives and improve approaches to
some of the most marginalised individuals, families
address long-term social challenges.
and communities, often experiencing multiple and
complex challenges. Jesuit Social Services works We do this by working collaboratively with
where the need is greatest and where we have the governments, businesses, the community sector,
capacity, experience and skills to make the most and communities themselves to build coalitions
difference. Our services span Victoria, New South and alliances around key issues, and building strong
Wales and the Northern Territory. relationships with key decision-makers and
the community.
Our service delivery and advocacy focuses on
these areas: We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of all
the lands on which Jesuit Social Services operates
• Justice and crime prevention – people involved
and pay respect to their Elders past and present. We
with the justice system.
express our gratitude for First Nations people’s love
• Mental health and wellbeing – people with and care of people, community, land and all life.
multiple and complex needs including mental
illness, trauma, homelessness and bereavement.
• Settlement and community building –
recently arrived immigrants and refugees, and
disadvantaged communities.
• Education, training and employment –
people with barriers to education and
sustainable employment.
• Gender Justice – leadership on the reduction
of violence and other harmful behaviours
prevalent among boys and men, and new
approaches to improve their wellbeing and
keep families and communities safe.
• Ecological justice – advocacy and research
around the systemic change needed to achieve
a ‘just transition’ towards a sustainable future,
and supporting community members to lead
more sustainable lives.
1Table of contents
Jesuit Social Services: Who we are and what we do 1
Introduction 3
Summary of recommendations 4
1. A fair social safety net 7
2. Social and ecological justice 8
3. Gender justice 10
4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination 12
5. Pathways to education, training and employment 14
6. A humane immigration system 15
7. Adequate settlement services for newly arrived people 17
8. Safe, affordable and sustainable housing 18
9. Fair justice systems 20
10. A flexible and responsive National Disability Insurance Scheme 23
11. Strengthen mental health and suicide bereavement supports 25
12. Equal pay funding for community services 28
For further information, please contact:
Julie Edwards, CEO, Jesuit Social Services
T: 03 9421 7600
E: julie.edwards@jss.org.au
2Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many pre- where they work. As we look to recover from the
existing social and economic issues in Australia pandemic, it is therefore critical that we do not lose
to the fore, from housing stress, to poverty, sight of the co-occurring climate crisis by ensuring
family violence, and insecure employment. As our response is grounded in principles of ecological
an organisation working with some of the most justice and equity.
disadvantaged members of the community, we
At election times, familiar themes often dominate
have witnessed firsthand the disproportionate
the political spectrum: tax cuts, the economy,
impact of this crisis on already marginalised people
national security, infrastructure, among others.
and communities.
These are important issues, but all too often the
However, responses to the pandemic have also needs of those on the margins of society are
proven that while these issues are complex, they are overlooked during election time. We need to
not beyond resolution. For example, the increase ensure that our political leaders commit to policies,
to JobSeeker meant that some of our participants practices and investment that allows everybody the
for the first time were able to afford necessities opportunity to reach their full potential.
such as medication and warm clothes. We have
There is a mood for change amongst the Australian
witnessed the collaboration of private and public
public. We have seen this through community
sectors to implement evidence-informed measures
solidarity with women standing up for gender
that increased the level of mental health support,
equity; calls for genuine action on climate change;
boosted income, and provided housing for people
and advocacy to raise income and support
experiencing vulnerabilities. While these measures
payments so that those with the least can live a
show that a more just and humane society is
better life.
possible, many of these them have been temporary
and only provided short-term relief. Elections are times for reflecting on what kind of
society we want to live in. Drawing on 45 years of
The climate crisis continues to unfold alongside
advocacy and action, this document outlines Jesuit
the pandemic. The ‘Black Summer’ of 2019-20
Social Services’ vision for a just society across a
saw a megafire spread across Victoria and New
range of interconnected social policy areas, from
South Wales claiming human lives, natural habitat
climate change to Aboriginal self-determination,
and property. Concerningly, 2021 was recorded
youth justice, mental health and affordable housing.
as one of the planet’s seven hottest years on
Jesuit Social Services calls for resources, policies,
record.1 This is despite back-to-back La Niña
practices and ideas that reduce inequality, prejudice
events, demonstrating just how strong the trend
and exclusion and that, ultimately, reflect a more
of long-term warming is. The United Nations’
compassionate and just Australia.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
report released in February 2022 identified Australia
as suffering greater impacts from climate change
than any other advanced economy.2 We have seen
more frequent and severe natural disasters, even
as recently as March 2022 with catastrophic floods
causing devastation across Southern Queensland
and the entire east coast of New South Wales.
Much like COVID-19, climate change is
disproportionately impacting marginalised people
and communities including the people we work
with. Our participants are more at risk of bearing
the brunt of the current and long-term impacts of
climate change because of where they live, their
income, their age, health conditions, disabilities, or
1 King, A. (2022). 2021 was one of the hottest years on record – and it could also be the coldest we’ll ever see again. The
Conversation. (Weblink)
2 IPCC, 2022: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment
Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A.
Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.)]. Cambridge University Press. In Press.
3Summary of recommendations
1. A fair social safety net • Expand the Rights Resilience and Respectful
Relationships Curriculum nationally and prioritise
• Increase the base rate of JobSeeker and related
healthy and respectful relationships education.
payments to at least $69 per day, as outlined by
ACOSS in its Raise the Rate For Good campaign. • Invest in national coordinated data collection,
research and evaluations to address the complex
• Commit to ongoing indexation of payments
causes of family violence and inform evidence-
and fund the establishment of a Social Security
based interventions.
Commission to advise the Parliament on the
ongoing adequacy of income support payments. • Fund research and program development
to address the root causes of harmful sexual
• Extend eligibility for JobSeeker, Youth Allowance
behaviours among young people.
and related payments to people on bridging visas
and other temporary visa holders.
4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
• End compulsory trials of the cashless debit card self-determination
scheme and compulsory income management.
• Commit to progressing the aspirations of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
2. Social and ecological justice
articulated in the Uluru Statement from the Heart,
• Invest in place-based approaches that can particularly through constitutional recognition of
build on community strengths and enable the National Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
community-led and system change.
• Resource ACCOs to design, lead and deliver
• Invest in a renewables-led recovery and economic services and programs as they are best placed
stimulus that creates jobs in clean energy, to meet the needs of their communities and
land management, and other regenerative and implement solutions.
sustainable industries that can build the economy
• Establish a national, coordinated focus on the
of the future.
overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in prison
• Prioritise investment in resourcing and capacity and the justice system more broadly, in particular,
building for community organisations and local investment in data systems to understand
leaders on just transitions. trends and patterns, as well as information
• Establish coordinating bodies that facilitate sharing from each jurisdiction about lessons
cross-sector collaboration to work towards a learnt about effective programs and practice.
just transition. • Continue investment in implementing the
• Increase funding and resources for organisations new National Agreement on Closing the Gap, in
and communities seeking to trial, test and particular, funding to be directed to communities
implement climate change adaptation, and ACCOs to design self-determined systems
mitigation and transformation activities. in partnership.
• Resource the establishment and coordination 5. Pathways to education, training and employment
of place-based coalitions at the local government
• Replace the compliance-focused Jobactive
level to incorporate the knowledge and
system, including inflexible mutual obligation
relationships held by the community sector
requirements, with a new model that prioritises
and community leaders into resilience and
funding for intensive, flexible and individualised
adaptation planning.
training and support for people seeking work.
3. Gender justice • Invest in pre-accredited training programs to
• Invest in workforce capacity-building support people to enter or re-enter education
across organisations. and training as a pathway to employment.
• Provide funding for the evaluation of primary • Replace the Community Development Program
prevention interventions. with a model in line with that proposed by
Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory.
• Provide coordinated, centralised and long-term
investment for primary prevention education for • Implement a federal social procurement policy
schools with a particular focus on research and that includes clear and ambitious targets for
sharing best practice across states/territories. creating meaningful employment opportunities
for people experiencing disadvantage.
46. A humane immigration system dwellings, as per calls by the Everybody’s
Home Campaign.
• End indefinite and arbitrary immigration detention
in Australia. • Partner with State and Territory governments
to retrofit all existing social housing with energy
• Expand Australia’s Humanitarian Program to at
efficiency upgrades.
least 30,000 places annually in response to
growing global protection needs, as per Oxfam
9. Fair justice systems
and Deloitte Access Economics’ recommendation.
• Raise the age of criminal responsibility to the age
• Enhance access to family reunions for refugee
of 14 across all states and territories.
and humanitarian entrants and develop a
humanitarian family reunion program of 10,000 • Establish a National Justice Reinvestment Body
places annually, as per Refugee Council of that embeds Aboriginal leadership and expertise
Australia’s recommendation. at all levels.
• Increase Status Resolution Support • Support the Northern Territory Government to
Services (SRSS) funding and expand give full effect to the recommendations of the
eligibility requirements. Royal Commission into the Protection and
Detention of Children in the Northern Territory.
7. Adequate settlement services for newly
• Coordinate the establishment of National
arrived people
Protective Mechanisms in each state and territory
• Expand funding of Settlement Engagement and to provide independent oversight of places
Transition Support Program (SETS) and enable of detention.
services funded under this program to respond
• Work with States and Territories and independent
to the settlement needs of newly arrived people
oversight bodies to ban the use of isolation in
beyond the current post-arrival five-year period
youth justice facilities and significantly reduce the
of eligibility.
use of isolation and solitary confinement in adult
• Extend settlement housing support under the prisons across Australian jurisdictions.
Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) beyond
the initial 28-day period and upscale the funding 10. A flexible and responsive National Disability
and development of sustainable, supportive Insurance Scheme
housing for newly arrived migrants and refugees. • Implement an NDIS pricing structure that is
• Increase investment in interpreter services for flexible to ensure that it can engage highly
Settlement Engagement and Transition skilled staff to provide quality, intensive support
Support services. to people with multiple and complex needs of
the diverse range of participants supported by
8. Safe, affordable and sustainable housing the scheme.
• Establish a 10-year national strategy on housing • Review the Disability Support worker cost model
and homelessness to complement the National and work towards developing a skilled, qualified
Housing and Homelessness Agreement and and renumerated disability workforce.
improve the coordination of the national response
• Improve the flexibility of the NDIS so that
to homelessness.
packages can be accessed in a timely manner,
• Develop a 10-year national Aboriginal and Torres in particular for participants with multiple and
Strait Islander housing strategy in partnership complex needs.
with Aboriginal Community Controlled
• Strengthen the interface of the NDIS and
Housing Organisations.
mainstream services so that cooccurring issues
• Increase funding for homelessness services, experienced by people with multiple and
including by providing Equal Remuneration complex needs are addressed in congruence.
Order (ERO) supplementation for the
homelessness service sector to meet increased 11. Strengthen mental health and suicide
wages costs arising from the 2012 Fair Work bereavement supports
Commission ERO decision. • Partner with State and Territory governments to
• Partner with State and Territory governments to implement state and territory wide postvention
increase investment in safe, sustainable and support services, so that every person bereaved
energy-efficient social housing, targeting by suicide is automatically referred to a
the construction of 25,000 new social housing postvention bereavement provider.
5• Develop secure, long-term funding for
postvention, early intervention services for suicide
bereavement, including Support After Suicide,
underpinned by a nationally agreed approach.
• Increase the capacity of mainstream mental
health services to respond to trauma, particularly
for families and children.
• Establish consistent reporting and evaluation
requirements across Primary Health Networks.
• Extend drug and alcohol treatment Primary
Health Networks funding for programs such
as Connexions.
12. Equal pay funding for community services
• Reinstate ERO supplementation funding
for the community services sector to ensure
people experiencing vulnerability can receive
the support they need.
61. A fair social safety net
In an economic downturn triggered by a public participants struggled to afford internet access7
health crisis that has multiplied challenges for which in turn impacted their ability provide home
many, we must focus on how best we can support schooling, access essential telehealth, partake
people in need. As we continue to adapt, we in job interviews or to access goods and
must avoid returning to the pre-COVID reality, services online.
where compliance with mutual obligations was
With ongoing economic uncertainty and a highly
prioritised over real support, and where the needs
competitive job market, the importance of a fair
of disadvantaged people were overlooked. We have
social safety net is only magnified. Jesuit Social
also seen the severe impact of crises – bushfires,
Services supports ACOSS’ Raise the Rate For Good
pandemic, floods and war – on the cost of living
campaign to increase the base rate of JobSeeker
in Australia.3 In response to this, the Government
and related payments from $44 per day to at least
must seek, to the fullest extent possible, not
$69, and to establish a social security commission
to compound existing disadvantage or create
to advise Parliament on the ongoing adequacy
additional disadvantage. We need a fair system of
of future income support payments from a social
social and employment support that empowers
justice perspective.8
people to reach their full potential.
The impact of the temporary increase to JobSeeker
through the Coronavirus Supplement was profound.
With this increase, some of our participants were
CASE STUDY: Emma*
able to access rental accommodation, to afford
Emma is 24-years-old and worked full-time on
medication or purchase items as simple, but
a minimum wage for two years, after which
essential, as warm clothes. Anecdotal evidence
she started studying a diploma course and
from our programs revealed positive changes,
went onto Youth Allowance. She does not have
such as a decrease in substance misuse, and some
the financial support of her parents, having
participants achieved a measure of stability in their
left home at 17 years of age, and must pay for
lives that they hadn’t previously enjoyed. Crucially,
everything herself, including rent in
our participants had hope. Their outlook changed.
shared accommodation.
These insights are in line with findings that the
Coronavirus Supplement lifted many people out In a recent session with her Jesuit Social
of poverty.4 Among people in households on the Services worker, Emma disclosed that once
JobSeeker Payment, poverty fell by four-fifths, from her Centrelink payment increased due to the
76 per cent in 2019 to 15 per cent in June 2020.5 Coronavirus Supplement, she was able to
Concerningly, research from ACOSS and UNSW replace her underwear and obtain a proper
shows that once the income supports in place were winter jacket. This was something she could
withdrawn during early 2021, income inequality and not previously afford. The increased payment
poverty increased above pre-pandemic levels.6 also meant she did not have to decide between
buying groceries or the medication she is on for
In light of this, the Federal Government’s decision depression and anxiety.
to raise the JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, Youth
Allowance and Austudy payments by only $50 per *All participant names are changed to protect
fortnight was disappointing and has seen recipients privacy – Emma isn’t her real name.
once again living below the poverty line and
struggling to pay for essentials such as food, rent,
medicine and internet access. During the lockdowns
to contain the spread of COVID-19, many of our
3 Pueblos, M. & Tamer R. (2022). Australia’s cost of living is soaring. Why is everything so expensive? SBS News. (Weblink)
4 Hayward, D., Ralston, L. and Raysmith, H. (2020). Social policy during the coronavirus recession: A fairy tale with an unhappy ending?
A case study of Victoria, Australia, p. 8, (Weblink)
5 Davidson, P., (2022) A tale of two pandemics: COVID, inequality and poverty in 2020 and 2021 ACOSS/UNSW Sydney Poverty and
Inequality Partnership, Build Back Fairer Series, Report No. 3, Sydney
6 Ibid.
7 Internet access is one of the indicators of Jesuit Social Services’ DOTE 2021 research – having no internet access is one of the
prevalent forms of disadvantage in some of the most disadvantaged communities..
8 See: Raise the Rate For Good
7Eligibility for social security should be expanded levels of air pollution,9 exposure to heat stress,10 and
and barriers to receiving income support, such poorer access to green open spaces.11
as onerous mutual obligation and income
Ecological injustice is evident globally, regionally
management measures, including the cashless
and locally, where the effects of rising temperatures,
debit card scheme, should be removed. Forms of
more severe droughts, bushfires and extreme
income management should be opt-in or voluntary,
weather events are disproportionately affecting
developed by communities and linked to other
the lives of those already facing marginalisation.
services as part of a holistic approach to supporting
Disasters, smoke exposure, infrastructure stress,
people in need.
service disruption, public health stress, the impacts
of species loss and the long-term need for a just
recovery to build communities of resilience demand
Recommendations a discerning and long-term vision for Australia.
In order to ensure those least able to cope with
• Increase the base rate of JobSeeker and climate change receive the support they need
related payments to at least $69 per day, as to adapt, increasing attention is being paid to the
outlined by ACOSS in its Raise the Rate For idea of a ‘just transition’12 – that is, moving from
Good campaign. current untenable economic and social systems
to an ecologically sustainable, zero greenhouse
• Commit to ongoing indexation of payments
gas emissions world in an effective and equitable
and fund the establishment of a Social
way. Jesuit Social Services recently released
Security Commission to advise the
a discussion paper drawing attention to the
Parliament on the ongoing adequacy of
overlapping social and ecological harms of the
income support payments.
prison system. The paper – Prisons, Climate and
a Just Transition – makes the case for why a just
• Extend eligibility for JobSeeker, Youth
transition must include a focus on decarceration.
Allowance and related payments to people on
Action in this area is urgently needed following
bridging visas and other temporary
reports from Western Australian prisons in January
visa holders.
this year of prisoners suffering soaring temperatures
• End compulsory trials of the cashless for a number of weeks, rising above 50 degrees
debit card scheme and compulsory in a number of prisons.13 Even more concerning
income management. are revelations from former prisoners that inside
Roebourne, Australia’s hottest prison, that there is
air-conditioning in the guards’ toilets but not in
the cells.14
2. Social and ecological justice Clear parameters are required by government to
ensure this transition does not replicate the harmful
Last year, Jesuit Social Services’ latest Dropping power structures that drive existing inequality, but
Off the Edge (DOTE) report was released—the fifth rather harnesses the potential for transformational
edition of research spanning over 20 years, mapping change. For example, in the Northern Territory, there
disadvantage by location. The report identifies is growing interest in the economic opportunities
where entrenched and persistent disadvantage presented by renewables; without clear parameters
is located and demonstrates the complex web of set by government, there is a risk that new solar
challenges faced by those communities. For the first projects could perpetuate the pattern of old
time, DOTE 2021 includes environmental indicators industries – extracting value from Aboriginal land
alongside social, economic, education and health without the participation or benefit of traditional
measures. The findings show that communities owners and local communities. Proactive policy
that experience persistent disadvantage often responses, genuine community involvement and
also experience disproportionate environmental carefully targeted social protection will be crucial to
injustice, represented through such factors as higher achieving a just transition.
9 Tanton, R., Dare, L., Miranti, R., Vidyattama, Y., Yule, A. and McCabe, M. (2021), Dropping Off the Edge 2021: Persistent and
multilayered disadvantage in Australia, Jesuit Social Services: Melbourne. Indicator 32. Pg 236.
10 Ibid. Indicator 34. Pg 236.
11 Ibid. Indicators 33 and 35. Pg 236.
12 See, Jesuit Social Services (2019) Expanding the conversation: Ecological Justice series Just Transitions, (Weblink)
13 Brennan, D. (2022). ‘Inside Roebourne, Australia’s Hottest Prison’, The Saturday Paper, January 29 - February 4, 2022, No. 384. (Weblink)
14 Ibid.
8The outcomes of any path taken will be
unpredictable and require flexible but considered
Recommendations
responses. Our future depends on the mobilisation
of all sectors – government, community and private • Invest in place-based approaches that
– around a collective, collaborative commitment to can build on community strengths and
reduce emissions and a just and sustainable future. enable community-led and system change.
Community service organisations (CSOs) are highly This involves working collaboratively with
vulnerable and not well prepared to respond to state and local governments and community
climate change or extreme weather events, with organisations and leaders to understand
many small and medium-sized organisations at local needs and address the drivers of
risk of permanent closure or service disruption as inequity and disadvantage. This must be
a result of major damage to physical infrastructure led by and with communities to incorporate
and disruptions to critical services. The detailed the diverse knowledge and voices of
consequences of major disruptions to social service lived experience.
provision for people experiencing poverty and
inequality – for whom CSOs are the shock absorbers • Invest in a renewables-led recovery and
for everyday adversity as well as crises – are very economic stimulus that creates jobs in
serious as they impact the basic needs for human clean energy, land management, and other
survival: homelessness, deprivation, hunger, regenerative and sustainable industries
isolation and death. At present, CSOs perceive that can build the economy of the future.
an overwhelming range of barriers to action. Key
• Prioritise investment in resourcing and
amongst these is a lack of financial resources and
capacity building for community
skills and the concern that adaptation is ‘beyond the
organisations and local leaders on just
scope’ of the sector’s core business.
transitions, ecological literacy, skills
In recognising the urgent need to mitigate and training and employment in regenerative
adapt to climate change, Jesuit Social Services’ and sustainable industries particularly in
Centre for Just Places has been delivering a range marginalised communities and those living
of climate adaptation and resilience initiatives within degraded and at-risk ecosystems.
and workshops across metropolitan Melbourne.
In doing so, the Centre aims to build place-based • Recognising the collective effort required to
climate resilience coalitions and strengthen achieve this goal, we recommend
collaboration between CSOs and local governments that governments establish coordinating
to build resilience to extreme weather and protect bodies that facilitate cross-sector
the health and wellbeing of those most at-risk. collaboration to work towards a just
A transformative approach to adaptation goes transition. This should include
beyond emergency management, addressing the engagement across all levels of
underlying drivers of vulnerability. CSOs hold local government, together with industry,
knowledge and, through their relationships with researchers and technical experts,
the community, can best understand the environmental organisations, the
vulnerabilities, strengths and appropriate community services sector and
responses best suited to their local community. communities themselves.
Building place-based, cross-sector coalitions
enables a shared understanding of how social and • Increase funding and resources for
climate justice issues intersect and helps drive organisations and communities seeking
adaptation planning and policy development to to trial, test and implement climate
build broader community resilience. change adaptation, mitigation and
transformation activities.
• Resource the establishment and
coordination of place-based coalitions at
the local government level to incorporate
the knowledge and relationships held by
the community sector and community
leaders into resilience and
adaptation planning.
93. Gender justice
Through our work, we have seen that too many boys More recently we have developed and are in
and men are in trouble and causing trouble, and the early stages of piloting our Adolescent Man
that without the proper role models and support, Box survey. The Adolescent Man Box is the first
they tend to endorse harmful masculine norms and study that focuses on the attitudes to manhood
destructive behaviours. While it isn’t all of them, (endorsement of stereotypical masculine norms)
it’s too many. We see it in high levels of substance and the association between these and a range
misuse, mental health issues, extremely high rates of harmful behaviours. The survey, subject to
of suicide, radicalisation and violence. The impact funding to support this work, also has the potential
on women, children, families, men, communities to serve as an important longitudinal evaluation
and society as a whole is profound. We have tool. This work is directly relevant to the Federal
recently acknowledged one significant aspect of the Government’s recent $5 million commitment to
problem – violence against women. The focus has develop a survey of secondary school-age students
been, as it should be, on supporting victim-survivors on issues related to consent. We would welcome
of this violence. But we need to do much more. the opportunity to partner on this work drawing
on the lessons and insights from our work to date
By looking at the root causes of violence and examining the underlying attitudes which are tightly
challenging behaviours, The Men’s Project seeks associated with violence and sexual harassment.
to move from crisis to prevention and early
intervention; going up-stream to support boys 3.2 Workforce capacity building
and men to be their best selves, so they can lead
The Men’s Project has developed workforce
healthier lives free from violence and foster positive
capacity-building projects for people working with
relationships. When we engage directly with men
men and boys to engage them on issues related
and boys, we also contribute to safer communities
to stereotypical constructions of masculinity (a key
and better outcomes for the women and children in
driver of violence) including:
their lives.
• Modelling Respect and Equality - supports
3.1 The Man Box participants to develop greater self-awareness,
Jesuit Social Services strongly believes that learn how to model and promote positive change,
addressing family violence requires tackling its and recognise and challenge problematic
root causes by supporting men and boys to live attitudes and behaviours.
respectful, accountable and fulfilling lives. Through • Unpacking the Man Box workshops – provides a
The Men’s Project, Jesuit Social Services has range of participants (social workers, well-being
taken steps to better understand and respond staff, teachers, students, early childhood
to male violence and other harmful behaviours. educators, faith leaders and parents) with
Our research, The Man Box: A study on being a awareness of the negative consequences
young man in Australia, focused on the attitudes to associated with outdated forms of masculinity
manhood and the behaviours of young Australian and tools/resources to foster healthier forms
men aged 18 to 30. It involved an online survey of masculinity.
of a representative sample of 1,000 young men
Internal evaluations of both programs found
from across the country, as well as focus group
participants report significant improvements in their
discussions with two groups of young men.
knowledge and understanding of stereotypical
Our findings reflected those of other research,
constructions of masculinity, and in their confidence
showing that men who rigidly conform to dominant
and motivation to affect change.
masculine norms (that men should be tough, stoic,
dominant and in control) are more likely to self- 3.3 Prevention education
report the use of violence and sexual harassment,
Adequately funded prevention education fosters
suffer poor mental health, engage in risky
safe and respectful relationships, and ultimately
behaviours such as binge drinking and less likely to
supports the goal of ending violence against
engage in health promotion behaviours.15
women. We welcome the inclusion of consent
education in the new national curriculum as a critical
15 Our Watch., (2019). Men in focus: unpacking masculinities and engaging men in the prevention of violence against women, Our
Watch: Melbourne, Australia.; The Men’s Project & Flood, M., (2018). The Man Box: A Study on Being a Young Man in Australia.
Jesuit Social Services: Melbourne.
10equipped with the language and skills they need
to create positive change around issues of respect.
CASE STUDY: Vas
Sadly, the onset of COVID-19 resulted in a spike in
When I arrived at the Brosnan Centre for the family violence, demonstrating that the work of The
two-day Modelling Respect and Equality Men’s Project is more vital than ever before.16
(MoRE) training run by The Men’s Project, As part of our work we are supporting the Victorian
I felt nervous and excited. We were about Government to implement the Resilience Rights
to scrutinise messages about masculinity and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) curriculum.
that affect the lives of boys and young men, Too often, teachers report a need for greater
and I was deeply aware of being part of that knowledge, skills and confidence in order to teach
demographic. I quickly relaxed in the company topics such as gendered violence, gender norms,
of the other smiling participants, both men and power and privilege. In response, in partnership
women, who represented a broad swathe with the Victorian Department of Education, we are
of society. engaging school leadership, teachers and other
staff in capacity building programs to support more
The program was led by Michael from Jesuit effective delivery of the RRRR curriculum and
Social Services together with Paul and Kesh enable school staff to embed a whole of school
from Nirodah, kicking off the workshop and approach. We expect the evaluation of the work will
unpacking the Man-Box study which revealed have implications for the Federal Government as
the harmful impact of masculine stereotypes on well as other states / territories.
boys and young men. I found the evidence both
compelling and validating as it resonated with 3.4 Intervening earlier to prevent child sexual abuse
my own discomfort with toxic messages and In addition to our research and primary intervention
my coexistent uncertainty about what exactly work, we are designing, piloting and evaluating
healthy masculinity might look like today. program models that intervene earlier. An area
of particular focus, with relevance to the Federal
The two-day workshop and subsequent meet- Government, is preventing child sexual abuse. We
ups in the weeks and months following gave commend the work completed to date, led by the
me an arena in which to explore my questions National Office for Child Safety (the National Office),
and insecurities with the support of other men on the development of the National Strategy to
and women who were also committed to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse (the
challenging their personal biases and growing National Strategy). Our work directly aligns with two
in their own ways. of the five key themes within the National Strategy
– ‘Enhancing national approaches to children with
Opportunities like the MoRE program are few harmful sexual behaviours’ and ‘Offender prevention
and far between and I feel hard-pressed to and intervention’.17 We particularly welcome the
think of anyone whom I would not encourage commitment to ‘Launch an offender prevention
to attend, and indeed I have and will continue to service for adults who have sexual thoughts about
recommend it to friends and professional children or young people’.18
peers alike.
We have two key initiatives that aim to intervene
earlier and prevent child sexual abuse by working
step in empowering and supporting young people with people who are worried about their sexual
to understand gendered stereotypes, coercion and thoughts and behaviours, including:
power imbalances. • Stop it Now! – Jesuit Social Services, in
Further to this, Jesuit Social Services advocates collaboration with the University of Melbourne,
for respectful relationships education to be is building the foundations of a Stop It Now!
prioritised in the national curriculum and provided service in Australia, with the pilot commencing
in all Australian schools. In addition to teaching imminently. Stop It Now! seeks to prevent
students about respectful and healthy relationships, child sexual abuse and offending involving child
teachers, sports coaches, youth workers and other abuse material. Stop It Now! currently operates
community leaders who work with boys must be successfully in North America, the United
16 Boxall H., Morgan A. & Brown R. (2020). The prevalence of domestic violence among women during the COVID-19
pandemic. Statistical Bulletin no. 28. Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology.
17 Commonwealth of Australia. (2021). Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, National Strategy to Prevent and
Respond to Child Sexual Abuse 2021–2030. (Weblink)
18 Ibid.
11are worried about their sexual thoughts and
Recommendations behaviours in relation to children, as well as
parents, family members, and professionals
• Invest in workforce capacity-building who have concerns about someone in relation to
across organisations, based on our Man this problem. While the service is anonymous
Box research, Modelling Respect and and confidential, it will adhere to mandatory
Equality program and Unpacking the Man reporting requirements relevant to laws in each
Box workshops, to support people who Australian jurisdiction.
work with boys and men to challenge • The Worried About Sex and Pornography Project
harmful stereotypes and promote respect (WASAPP) – in collaboration with the University
and equality. of Melbourne, Jesuit Social Services is currently
engaged in a research project, WASAPP, for
• Provide funding for the evaluation of young people worried about their sexual
primary prevention interventions. thoughts or behaviours. Funded by a Learning
System Grant, through the Centre for Excellence
• Provide coordinated, centralised and long-
in Child and Family Welfare, the research is
term investment for primary prevention
seeking to understand the developmental
education for schools with a particular
trajectories of children and young people in
focus on research and sharing best practice
order to inform the contents of an effective
across states/territories. This could include,
online help tool. The next stage is to secure
drawing on the work completed to
funding and build and trial a WASAPP online
date through our Adolescent Man Box
help tool.
survey, partner with Jesuit Social Services
as part of the $5 million commitment to
develop a survey of secondary school-age 4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait
students on issues related to consent. Islander self-determination
• Expand the Rights Resilience and Jesuit Social Services acknowledges Aboriginal
Respectful Relationships Curriculum and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional
nationally and prioritise healthy and Owners of this land, whose sovereignty has never
respectful relationships education. been ceded.
4.1 A First Nations Voice to Parliament
• Invest in national coordinated data
collection, research and evaluations to The Uluru Statement from the Heart was issued
address the complex causes of family to the Australian people in 2017. It calls for a
violence and inform evidence-based constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice (the
interventions, such as providing funding Voice) to Parliament, and the establishment of
for the national roll-out of Jesuit Social a Makarrata Commission that would take active
Services’ Adolescent Man Box Survey. steps for truth-telling about our history and lay
the foundation for agreement-making (treaties)
• Fund research and program development between Federal and State governments and
to address the root causes of harmful First Nations peoples.19 In 2019, Minister for
sexual behaviours among young people’s Indigenous Australians Ken Wyatt announced a
behaviours such as Jesuit Social Services’ ‘co-design’ process with Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Worried About Sex and Porn Islander people to determine the structure and
Project (WASAPP). functions of the Voice to Parliament through
community consultations.20
The final report on the Indigenous Voice Co-
Kingdom, Ireland and the Netherlands having design Process, released in 2021, recommended
been first established by a victim survivor of that the Voice should consist of an integrated
child sexual abuse in the US. The program’s key system comprising Local and Regional Voices
feature is an anonymous and confidential phone and a National Voice, with connections to existing
helpline and online chat function for people who Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies.21
19 Uluru Statement from the Heart (2022). History. (Weblink)
20 Ibid.
21 Commonwealth of Australia, National Indigenous Australians Agency (20210. Indigenous Voice Co-design Process Final
Report to the Australian Government. (Weblink)
12Unfortunately, the Voice will not be constitutionally disadvantage, involvement with the child protection
enshrined, but rather legislatively adopted, system and disproportionate youth justice
which does not reflect the calls from the Uluru involvement at an earlier age.26
Statement for constitutional reforms to empower
Culture plays a central role in the lives of Aboriginal
Aboriginal people. In addition to advocating for a
people, particularly for children. It can support
constitutionally enshrined Voice, we echo the calls
healing, protect health and wellbeing, and build
of the Aboriginal Executive Council for the structure
identity, resilience and connection to community
and governance of the Voice to align with the new
and Country. A key finding of the Our Youth, Our Way
National Agreement on Closing the Gap (discussed
inquiry was that services designed, controlled, and
below). It is critical that these mechanisms work in
delivered by the Aboriginal community resulted in
unison and are coordinated according to the priority
the best outcomes for Aboriginal children involved
reforms and new targets.22
with youth justice with positive flow on effects for
4.2 Overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres the wider Aboriginal community.27 Jesuit Social
Strait Islander people in the justice system Services supports Aboriginal self-determination,
recognising that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
“Proportionally, we are the most incarcerated
community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) are
people on the planet. We are not an innately
uniquely placed to provide culturally appropriate
criminal people.” – Uluru Statement from
services, developed by and for local communities.
the Heart
They should be adequately resourced and
Jesuit Social Services believes that the supported to do so given the intersect between
overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait education, health, housing and incarceration. We
Islander people in the adult and youth justice call on the Commonwealth to work with states
systems nationally represents a systemic failure. and territories to end the overrepresentation of
We are particularly concerned about the increasing Aboriginal people in the justice system. A national
rates at which Aboriginal children and women coordinated response is necessary to address
are being incarcerated. Aboriginal women are the overrepresentation, consisting of investment in data
fastest growing prison population in Victoria while systems to understand trends and patterns, as well
Aboriginal children are nine times more likely to be as information sharing from each jurisdiction about
in custody than their non-Aboriginal counterparts.23 lessons learnt about effective programs
We seek to highlight the historical and structural and practice.
root causes of this overrepresentation and advocate
for a genuine commitment to Aboriginal self- 4.3 The new National Agreement on Closing the Gap
determination as critical to preventing contact with
We know that the empowerment and self-
the justice system.
determination of First Nations people is the best
Structural and systemic racism are key underlying path to improved outcomes. One way we have seen
drivers of the rising Aboriginal prison population. this play out is through the work of the Coalition of
PwC’s 2017 report Indigenous incarceration: Unlock Peaks, the collective voice of the Aboriginal and
the facts found systemic racism spans across the Torres Strait Islander community-controlled sector,
justice system from policing, legal assistance and in co-designing the new National Agreement on
courts.24 Further to these findings, the inquiry by Closing the Gap which was launched in 2020.28
the Victorian Commission for Children and Young
People, Our Youth, Our Way highlighted the
systemic causes of challenges faced by Aboriginal
children, which influence their involvement with the
justice system.25 Some of these included interrupted
engagement with education, mental health and
substance misuse concerns, entrenched family
22 Aboriginal Executive Council (2020). Submission to the Indigenous Voice.
23 Commission for Children and Young People (2021). Our youth, our way: inquiry into the over-representation of Aboriginal children and
young people in the Victorian youth justice system.; Australian Bureau of Statistics (Australian Government) (2021). Corrective Services
March 2021.
24 PwC’s Indigenous Consulting. (2017). Indigenous incarceration: Unlock the facts.
25 Commission for Children and Young People (2021). Our youth, our way: inquiry into the over-representation of Aboriginal children and
young people in the Victorian youth justice system.
26 Ibid.
27 Ibid.
28 Coalition of Peaks (2022). New National Agreement on Closing the Gap. (Weblink)
13It is crucial for the Commonwealth to continue invested in those who are experiencing entrenched
its investment in implementing the National disadvantage. We have observed the power of
Agreement, in particular, for funding to be directed supporting individuals to harness their strengths
to communities and ACCOs to design self- and to be provided with the right skills and training
determined systems in partnership. to attain meaningful employment. In doing so, we
advocate for working relationally with this cohort
and taking the time to understand their capabilities,
hopes and aspirations. In addition, post-placement
Recommendations
support and mentoring for individuals, and support
• Commit to progressing the aspirations for prospective employers, must be a focus of any
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander new system.
people articulated in the Uluru Statement
5.2 Pre-accredited training opportunities
from the Heart, particularly through
constitutional recognition of the National Pre-accredited training provides an important
Indigenous Voice to Parliament. stepping stone into employment for people with
low-level educational attainment or people who
• Resource ACCOs to design, lead and deliver have been out of the workplace or education
services and programs as they are best for some time. Access to pre-accredited training
placed to meet the needs of their provides an opportunity to successfully engage
communities and implement solutions. or re-engage in education and enhance skills
and work readiness. For some people, this is the
• Establish a national, coordinated focus on first such opportunity in many years. Through
the overrepresentation of Aboriginal pre-accredited training provided by Jesuit Social
people in prison and the justice system Services, participants gain the essential vocational
more broadly, in particular, investment and personal skills they need to make a successful
in data systems to understand trends and transition to formal accredited training and
patterns, as well as information sharing employment. Recognising the importance of pre-
from each jurisdiction about lessons learnt accredited training, we call on the incoming Federal
about effective programs and practice. Government to invest in pre-accredited training
programs to support people to enter or re-enter
• Continue investment in implementing the education and training to obtain employment.
new National Agreement on Closing
the Gap, in particular, funding to be 5.3 The Community Development Program
directed to communities and ACCOs
to design self-determined systems The Community Development Program (CDP), the
in partnership. Federal remote-area employment scheme, has
failed to deliver meaningful training or employment
outcomes for participants, the majority of whom
are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people,
while setting onerous requirements and significant
5. Pathways to education, training penalties for compliance failures. Under the
and employment CDP, people have been expected to undertake
compulsory work, at an hourly rate below the
5.1 Jobactive minimum wage, within a centralised system that
has led to a decline in local decision-making and
Evidence shows that the federal employment discretion in its implementation.30 While some
services system, with its focus on compliance and reforms were implemented in March 2019, this
meeting narrowly prescribed outcomes, is failing scheme is overdue for replacement.
people looking to secure work.29 With current
jobactive contracts extended until June 2022 while Jesuit Social Services supports a model in line with
a trial of a new model takes place in two regions, that proposed by Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT
Jesuit Social Services believes that any new (APO NT) that is community-driven and fosters long-
system must enable the time and resources to be term collaboration across governments, employers,
Indigenous organisations and communities.31
29 Employment Services Expert Advisory Panel. (2020). I Want to Work. (Weblink); Senate Education and Employment References
Committee. (2019). Jobactive: Failing those it is intended to serve. (Weblink); ACOSS. (2018). Future Employment Services. (Weblink)
30 Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT. (2017). Fair Work and Strong Communities. (Weblink).
31 Ibid.
14potential for a proportion of this spending to be
Recommendations targeted to achieving positive social outcomes,
such as driving recruitment of people who are
• Replace the compliance-focused Jobactive long-term unemployed, have low skill levels and
system, including inflexible mutual who live in areas of high social disadvantage.
obligation requirements, with a new While Commonwealth Procurement Rules include
model that prioritises funding for reference to considerations such as environmental
intensive, flexible and individualised sustainability, decision-makers should also be
training and support for people required to consider social value and impact as
seeking work. part of procurement processes. The Victorian
Government’s Social Procurement Framework is a
• Invest in pre-accredited training programs promising example that could be drawn upon.
to support people to enter or re-enter
education and training as a pathway 6. A humane immigration system
to employment.
The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum
• Replace the Community Development (CAPSA) is a national initiative that advocates for a
Program with a model in line with that just and humane processing system in Australia, in
proposed by Aboriginal Peak Organisations which we welcome people seeking asylum. Formed
Northern Territory that is: community- in 2014, CAPSA is co-convened by Jesuit Social
driven; based on genuine, long-term Services and Jesuit Refugee Services Australia
collaboration across governments, and is supported by an advisory group of national
employers, Indigenous organisations and representatives from Catholic peak bodies and
communities; and facilitates participation organisations across the pastoral, education, social
and community development in remote and health sectors. Through the work of CAPSA,
areas, including work on services and Jesuit Social Services advocates that significant
projects identified by, and with value for, change is needed so that refugees and people
remote communities. seeking asylum can be treated fairly and humanely.
Not only will this uphold the human rights of those
• Implement a federal social procurement seeking safety in Australia, but it would also benefit
policy that includes clear and ambitious the Australian economy, workforce and broader
targets for creating meaningful society.
employment opportunities for people
experiencing disadvantage. 6.1 End indefinite and arbitrary detention
Jesuit Social Services is deeply concerned at the
ongoing indefinite and arbitrary detention of asylum
The new scheme should focus on job creation to seekers both in Australia and overseas at the hands
increase employment and reduce poverty. APO of Australia’s immigration system. The average
NT’s proposal envisages a shift in resources away length of time a person spends in immigration
from the administration of compliance obligations detention is just under 700 days.32 However, many
and into participation and community development people have been detained for much longer - 117
in remote areas, including work on meaningful people have been detained for over five years and
services and projects identified by, and with value eight people have been detained for more than ten
for, remote communities. years.33 Experts in law, health, psychology, social
work and human rights have expressed their well-
5.4 A federal social procurement policy
founded and ongoing concerns for the wellbeing
The capacity for Federal Government procurement of refugees and people seeking asylum held in
spending to contribute social value should be indefinite detention by the Australian Government.34
meaningfully pursued, including in relation to The arbitrary and indefinite nature of immigration
creating sustainable job opportunities for people detention has been found by the UN Human Rights
experiencing disadvantage. The size of government Committee to contravene Australia’s international
procurement contracts underlines the significant
32 Department of Home Affairs. Immigration Detention and Community Statistics Summary. 30 September 2021. (Weblink)
33 Ibid.
34 Parliament of Australia, Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee’s inquiry into The serious allegations of abuse,
self-harm and neglect of asylum seekers in relation to the Nauru Regional Processing Centre, and any like allegations in relation to
the Manus Regional Processing Centre (2017), Submissions.
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