Victorian Council of Social Service http://www.vcoss.org.au Thu, 17 May 2012 17:17:36 +1000 Skilled volunteers in Victoria contribute millions of dollars’ worth of work to the economy and give community organisations the capacity to focus on supporting people and communities in need, according to an analysis by a coalition of community and volunteering organisations. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=178 Thu, 17 May 2012 12:00:00 +1000 Last night’s Federal Budget contains welcome measures to make a fairer tax system while improving the lives of people on low incomes, but hits 100,000 of our poorest families hard. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=176 Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00:00 +1000 Reforms to ensure better supports for vulnerable children announced by the State Government today and recommended in the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Report have been welcomed by the Victorian Council of Social Service. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=175 Tue, 01 May 2012 12:00:00 +1000 In a tough revenue environment, today’s budget includes some smart decisions to invest in proven programs for vulnerable and abused children and young people, as the first stage of response to the Cummins’ Inquiry into Protecting Vulnerable Children. But there is too little investment in critical services, such as public transport for families moving into new fringe suburbs or growing regional cities. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=174 Tue, 01 May 2012 12:00:00 +1000 The Victorian Government’s plan to allocate $500 million for a new prison in next week’s Budget will come at the cost of programs and services that actually work to address the causes of criminal behavior, according to the Victorian Council of Social Service. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=173 Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +1000 The Government must keep the focus on investing in a strong future and in Victorian families in next week’s State Budget, says the Victorian Council of Social Service. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=171 Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +1000 A growing number of Victorians will face a bleak economic future if there are any cuts to frontline services in next month’s Budget, warn community organisations who work with some of the state’s most vulnerable people. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=170 Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +1000 We wish to advise members and friends of VCOSS that, after ten years of exceptional service, our CEO Cath Smith has chosen to make a career change and will be leaving VCOSS in mid-May. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=169 Tue, 27 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +1100 A growing number of Victorians are finding it increasingly difficult to travel to the places they need to with older people and young adults in particular being left behind as the State’s public transport woes intensify. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=177 Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +1100 The State Government’s commitment to retain and potentially strengthen the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities is a valuable step for justice, particularly for vulnerable Victorians. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=168 Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +1100 The Victorian Auditor General, in his Public Transport Performance Audit Report released today, has called on the Department of Transport (DoT) to improve its delivery of accessible transport, and to pay as much attention to buses as it does to trains and trams. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=167 Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +1100 Victorian Government now needs to act to better support vulnerable children and young people http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=166 Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +1100 Victorian Government plans to build new prisons will be an expensive exercise in futility that will drain money from efforts that actually work to address the causes of criminal behavior. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=165 Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +1100 The anniversary of the devastating 2009 Victorian Bushfires is a painful reminder of the trauma and dislocation experienced by so many Victorians three years ago – and a timely alert that many individuals and communities still need ongoing help with recovery. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=164 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +1100 Community sector workers will finally be paid a fair wage for the critical work they do for some the most vulnerable Victorians following today's historic outcome at Fair Work Australia. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=163 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +1100 Victoria needs to reevaluate its spending priorities, particularly those that will further inflate the already spiraling costs of prisons revealed in the latest Productivity Commission Report on Government Services. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=162 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +1100 The $8.8 million announced today by the Minister for Community Services, The Hon Mary Wooldridge, will help achieve better outcomes for vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people and contribute to Closing the Gap in outcomes for them. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=161 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +1100 Reconciliation Victoria, ANTaR Victoria and the Victorian Council of Social Service welcome the recommendations in the report released today by the Panel appointed to consider recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=160 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +1100 Newly released energy data showing that retailers are taking a cavalier approach to customers in hardship is prompting calls for the State Government to step in to ensure companies aren’t ripping off consumers. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=159 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +1100 VCOSS welcomes the Government’s announcement today of changes to the smart meter program that will ensure consumers get better value for money and are more likely to get some real benefits. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=158 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +1100 VCOSS report calls for the Government to commit to strengthening the resilience of families and communities in rural and regional Victoria and respond to the challenges of an aging population. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=157 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +1100 Next year’s State Budget will be a battleground for families, as the Victorian Government looks to slash spending on services, warns a report from the Victorian Council of Social Service, released on the first anniversary of the State Government coming to power. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=156 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +1100 VCOSS welcomes the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission’s (VCEC) recognition of the importance of improving early education and care and addressing youth disengagement in education in their draft report on the Inquiry into a State-based reform agenda. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=154 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +1100 VCOSS and Youthlaw have welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to defer the introduction of statutory minimum sentences for young people aged 16 and 17 to allow for further consultation http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=152 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +1100 The Federal Government’s announcement of support of the ASU’s Equal Pay case has been hailed as an historic day for Victorian community sector workers who will finally be paid fairly for the important work they do. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=151 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +1100 The Victorian Council of Social Service has welcomed the State Government’s support for an initiative aimed at assisting people with a severe mental illness into private sector housing. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=155 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +1100 Victorian community organisations and social services are joining the national call for the Commonwealth Government to raise the Newstart Allowance, as more Australians are at risk of falling into poverty. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=150 Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +1100 New economic data shows cost-of-living pressures on some Australian households have far outpaced CPI figures over the last six years, potentially stripping household savings and exposing more people to the risk of falling into poverty and disadvantage. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=149 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +1100 Australia’s peak welfare and community sector bodies have welcomed the passage of the Clean Energy Future bill through the House of Representatives in Federal Parliament today as an historic opportunity to build a low-carbon future for all Australians. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=148 Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +1100 VCOSS welcomes the State Government’s action plan to tackle homelessness released today. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=147 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:00:00 +1100 The Victorian Council of Social Service welcomes the Taxi Inquiry’s focus on the issues of Victorian taxi users who are struggling with high fares, sporadic quality and want a service that meets their diverse needs. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=146 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Professor Allan Fels AO, Chair of the Taxi Industry Inquiry, will speak at a press conference this morning to make statements regarding taxi fares and release submissions and documents that highlight some of the main concerns of taxi users. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=145 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +1000 A responsible gambling industry, and its partners, should back a mandatory pre-commitment proposal which aims to stop vulnerable people from losing more than they can afford. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=144 Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Australia’s broken housing system puts too many people one step away from homelessness and needs to be fixed says the Victorian Council of Social Service as part of its support for Australians for Affordable Housing – launched today. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=143 Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The Victorian Human Rights Charter provides valuable protection to some of the state’s most vulnerable people and must be supported by the Government, says VCOSS. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=142 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Reports that new trams due to be launched on the public transport system next year fail to comply with Australian accessibility laws are no surprise to VCOSS. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=141 Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Victoria’s public transport system is failing to cater for people with diverse mobility requirements and needs a radical rethink to ensure all journeys are accessible, according to new VCOSS research. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=140 Thu, 01 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The alarming jump in family violence revealed in Victoria Police crime statistics today is being exacerbated by a lack of housing options for vulnerable women and children. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=139 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +1000 VCOSS welcomes the release of the Regulatory Impact Statement for Residential Tenancies (Rooming House Standards) Regulations and supports the proposed 11 minimum safety standards. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=138 Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +1000 More people are being turned away by community service organisations unable to meet the increased demand for emergency relief, housing assistance, health and mental health services. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=137 Mon, 15 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The challenge of ending the cycle of disadvantage in Victoria in a changing social and political landscape will be the focus of the 2011 VCOSS Congress. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=136 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The Victorian government needs to come to the party on funding equal pay for community workers and understand the role of gender in low pay in the sector. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=135 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +1000 VCOSS believes the carbon price scheme announced yesterday by the Federal Government is an essential first step in tackling climate change for all Victorians, especially those living on a low incomes or experiencing disadvantage. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=134 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Publishing economic ‘modelling’ of the impact of a carbon price on Victorians without including compensation is only telling half the story says the Victorian Council of Social Service. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=133 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +1000 A United Nations report on the widening wellbeing gap for children in disadvantaged communities reveals the extent of a growing crisis in Australia. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=131 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +1000 VCOSS celebrates NAIDOC Week, this week – 3-10 July, and pays tribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and the contribution that Aboriginal Victorians make to our community. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=132 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The Victorian Council of Social Service has welcomed the announcement of the appointment of Susan Pascoe as Chair of the Implementation Taskforce for the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=130 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Community organisations who work with young Victorians are urging the State Government to rule out introducing mandatory-minimum jail sentences for juvenile offenders aged 16 and 17. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=129 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Giving armed Protective Services Officers powers to detain and arrest people at train stations has the potential to go disastrously wrong if they are not adequately trained to interact with vulnerable people in our community, warns VCOSS. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=128 Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +1000 State and federal governments must fund the outcomes of the ASU’s Equal Pay Case to ensure the long term sustainability of the community sector says VCOSS. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=127 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The 2011-12 Budget included some surprising wins for VCOSS confounding our expectations of a ‘tough’ budget. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=123 Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +1000 A new Federal Government report recommends that school buses be made to fully comply with disability access standards, but that the proposal should not be fully operational until 2044. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=126 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The Victorian Council of Social Service calls on the Victorian Government to take greater action to improve the education outcomes of Aboriginal children and young people in Victoria as part of its commitment to Close the Gap. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=122 Thu, 02 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +1000 VCOSS today welcomed the withdrawal of an application by the Victorian Department of Transport to exempt 27 new rural bus services from the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=121 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The Victorian Council of Social Service observes Sorry Day and pays respects to the members of the Stolen Generations. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=120 Thu, 26 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Rural Victorians who can’t climb into an old school bus will be left behind if the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission approves a request from the Department of Transport (DOT) to exempt 27 new rural bus services from accessibility standards. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=119 Thu, 26 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The Auditor General’s report on the access and quality of Victoria’s early years services highlights the need for further action to ensure vulnerable children can access services when and where they are needed. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=118 Wed, 25 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The 2011-12 Victorian Budget contains approximately $676 million of expenditure on response and recovery from the devastating flooding which affected much of Victoria in late 2010-early 2011. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=117 Thu, 19 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The 2011-12 State Budget contains some useful initiatives that will contribute toward achieving these commitments, including investment in alternative energy innovation, efficient street lighting, energy and water efficiency rebates and local integrated water management. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=116 Thu, 19 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Today Housing for the Aged Action Group joined the VCOSS Decent not Dodgy Campaign to introduce minimum standards for rental housing and launched an online video that shows the housing conditions older people face in the rental market. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=115 Thu, 19 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The 2011-12 State Budget provides promising signs of greater investment along the prevention-early intervention-tertiary continuum. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=114 Wed, 18 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The Government has delivered their early childhood election commitments in this budget. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=113 Wed, 18 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 VCOSS welcomes the 5.3% real effective increase in support for community based youth justice services including expanded intensive bail support and funding for more youth workers to supervise community based orders. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=112 Wed, 18 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Public transport has received significant attention in this budget, with more than $400 million of new resources allocated. This compares to road spending of over $600 million. The Government has almost exclusively focussed on the train system at the neglect of buses, which are particularly important for outer suburban and regional Victorians. VCOSS particularly welcomes the $20 million for accessible transport improvements, although this is not enough to ensure that the system will reach legal accessibility milestones. VCOSS remains concerned that no resources or attention has been given to other transport alternatives, such as community transport or the Multi-Purpose Taxi Program. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=111 Wed, 18 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The 2011-12 Budget included $200 million over 4 years to fund the outcomes of the pay equity case, resourcing the Coalition’s pre-election commitment. This is welcome, however VCOSS expects that additional funds will be required to implement the Fair Work Australia decision. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=110 Wed, 18 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 This 2011-12 Budget focussed primarily on providing assistance to home owners and first home buyers. VCOSS is disappointed that there is no additional funding for public and community housing. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=109 Wed, 18 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Living costs were a central theme in the 2010 election and measures to ameliorate them have featured prominently in the new Government’s first budget. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=108 Thu, 12 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Read ACOSS' response to the Federal Budget. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=107 Tue, 10 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Living costs were a central theme in the 2010 election and measures to ameliorate them have featured prominently in the new Government’s first budget. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=106 Tue, 10 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Public transport has received significant attention in this budget, with more than $400 million of new resources allocated and a focus on trains at the neglect of buses. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=105 Wed, 04 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 VCOSS State Budget: Real Effective Change table details analysis of directions in spending. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=104 Tue, 03 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 VCOSS welcomes some major initiatives in the 2011-12 State Budget but expresses concern over police and prison spending. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=103 Tue, 03 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 ‘Families expect the Victorian Government to fill the services ‘black hole’ in outer suburban and rural and regional Victoria,’ says Cath Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS). http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=102 Mon, 02 May 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The Victorian Government’s announcement of support for flood-effected irrigators is welcome but overlooks the need for investment in community recovery, particularly psychosocial supports. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=101 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The announcement that the State Government will cut funding to JobWatch, Victoria’s only free specialist employment legal service, has prompted calls to guarantee important services in the upcoming State Budget. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=100 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +1000 ‘The review of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities announced today by the Victorian Attorney General, the Honourable Robert Clark, is a key opportunity for the new Victorian Government to make Victoria a fairer and more just place through delivering stronger human rights protections,’ said Cath Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS). http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=99 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +1000 The Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) today welcomed the Government’s response to the Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into the Adequacy and Future Directions of Public Housing in Victoria, and has set a challenge to the new Government to fix the Victorian housing system. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=98 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +1000 Nine out of ten Australians believe workers in community services should be paid more than or equal to workers doing similar jobs in other industries says new polling. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=97 Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +1000 VCOSS has welcomed today’s commitment to building the Regional Rail Link and urged the government to consult with communities to ensure the project delivers the most benefit to the most people. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=96 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:00:00 +1000 On National Close the Gap Day the Victorian Premier, Ted Baillieu, reaffirmed the Victorian Government’s commitment to close the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians at an event at State Parliament. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=95 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +1100 The Victorian Government must not retreat from supporting equal pay for workers in community organisations says a coalition of leaders in the community and welfare sectors. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=94 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +1100 A report on the distribution of welfare payments in Victoria shows which disadvantaged communities are most in need of investment to give people greater access to education, jobs and services. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=93 Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +1100 Ongoing government support for the Regional Rail Link will deliver substantial benefits for struggling suburbs in Melbourne’s west as well as the regional cities of Bendigo, Ballarat and Geelong according to the Victorian Council of Social Service. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=92 Wed, 09 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +1100 In Australia in 2011 we have a woman as Prime Minister yet outrageously for every three dollars Victorian men earn, women earn only two. It is time to support equal pay. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=91 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +1100 The closure of a large rooming housing in Fitzroy will potentially leave 72 Fitzroy residents without a roof over their head http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=90 Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +1100 Community groups around Victoria will receive training in the skills and expertise needed to run successful and sustainable organisations via a VCOSS Training and Development Clearinghouse program to be launched today. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=89 Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:00:00 +1100 The introduction of year-round electricity concessions from 1 March will be a big help to struggling Victorians but is only one part of the solution to rising cost-of-living pressures. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=88 Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +1100 VCOSS welcomes the announcement of moves towards the introduction of a carbon price and urges the government to keep the needs of the community at the forefront during its implementation. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=87 Thu, 24 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +1100 Victoria’s peak community service organisation has welcomed the decision to bring forward the introduction of year-round electricity concessions to 1 March as a significant bonus to struggling Victorians. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=86 Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +1100 Hospitals are important, but a stronger focus on primary health services – particularly community health - is the key to delivering better health outcomes. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=85 Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +1100 New figures released yesterday showing the public housing waiting list has reduced by 2,200 households demonstrate the effectiveness of investment in public and community housing. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=84 Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +1100 The new Victorian Government must prioritise investing in improved services to better protect and support vulnerable children and young people in Victoria. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=83 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +1100 Victorian households will benefit from the State Government’s tough stance on the National Energy Retail Law, which it is refusing to sign unless it retains the strong protections that Victorian households deserve. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=82 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +1100 Victoria’s public housing crisis can only be resolved by increasing the number of rental properties for disadvantaged people to live in. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=81 Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +1100 Young people who are in out of home care have poorer education outcomes than other young people and urgent action is needed to better support them to achieve at school. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=80 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +1100 Melbourne’s ranking as one of the world’s least affordable cities to own a home is further evidence that our housing market is broken and in need of urgent repairs. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=79 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +1100 The State Government’s commitment to the goals established under the Climate Change Act 2010 has been welcomed by the Victorian Council of Social Service. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=78 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +1100 The floods affecting so much of Victoria will have long-term impacts on vulnerable members of our community who will need additional assistance during the recovery process. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=77 Tue, 18 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +1100 The new Coalition Government in Victoria faces the challenge of delivering on its promises to improve services and supports while maintaining a strong focus on the proven programs that are delivering real outcomes for disadvantaged people says VCOSS in its 2011-2012 State Budget Submission. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=76 Wed, 22 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +1100 Young people living in Melbourne’s outer suburbs are missing out on essential employment and educational opportunities due to the lack of transport options according to a VCOSS study of young people’s transport use. http://www.vcoss.org.au/media/mediarelease.php?id=74 Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +1100