5 June 2015

Social Justice Fortnightly Bulletin

Key issues:    2015 Social Justice Forum coming up! Saturday 18 July - please save the date

News Alerts:

St Vincent de Paul Society speaks up – the housing affordability crisis is making life miserable for many families increasingly forced to approach charities (Daily Telegraph)

St Vincent de Paul Society’s National Council urges the Australian Government to be a regional leader by offering assistance to the Rohingya asylum seekers seeking refuge.

2015 Federal Budget impacts – Analysis shows federal budget continues to hit the poor hardest (Sydney Morning Herald)

State Government’s Electricity Privatisation Bill passes NSW parliament (Sydney Morning Herald)

Latest Reports:

The Federal Treasury Secretary’s concerns about the social costs of inflated housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne highlights the inflationary impacts of existing tax arrangements. New ACOSS report urges reform of negative gearing and capital gains tax.

Sydney City Council – Launches Affordable Housing Discussion Paper for community feedback – Have your say!

Upcoming Events:

1.    2015 State Social Justice Forum - Saturday 18 July.

2.    Energy Ombudsman ‘Bring Your Bills Day’ is coming to Queenbeyan on 11 June

Community workers and social housing tenants can learn about energy and water issues, rebates, scams, marketing, energy saving tips, fire safety and other issues facing consumers. See the Attached Flyer

3.    The Society’s Social Justice Committee, on which your Central Council’s Social Justice Rep represents you, will be meeting next Saturday 13 June.

You are invited to:

Save the date for this year’s 2015 Social Justice Forum – coming up on Saturday 18 July – and keep an eye out for the formal invitation which will be circulated in the next couple of weeks.

Take this opportunity to raise any local issues with your local Social Justice Representative. They are looking for updates from you to bring your issues to the attention of the Social Justice Committee at its meeting on 13 June.

Tell us what news and events you are most interested in. You can send your feedback to your Social Justice Rep or lukas.rajnoch@vinnies.org.au