CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM KASY CHAMBERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ANGLICARE AUSTRALIA For the last couple of years Anglicare Australia has been using the theme of not leaving anyone behind. It is rumoured this theme came from a proud Anzac tradition but in truth it probably started long before and is at the heart of compassionate and practical notions of society. As a theme, it is a useful, clear and understandable standard against which to judge policy. Anglicare Australia is always non-partisan. We comment on policies, ideas and the effect they have when they are bundled in particular ways or by particular idealism. So it serves us well to have such a visual and powerful measuring stick.

Anglicare Australia has offered the following response to the Superannuation (Objective) Bill 2016. Anglicare Australia welcomes the Government’s commitment to legislate the objective of superannuation. A clear objective that requires any new policies to be compatible with its purpose will help to guide future reform. The lack of a formal objective has allowed superannuation to be used as a vehicle for various objectives, including tax avoidance, wealth accumulation and estate planning. It is important, then, for the objective to be considered in the context of creating a sustainable and fair retirement income system that will support people for decades to come. This will strengthen the likelihood that any changes to superannuation will support a holistic, well-functioning and balanced retirement income system that provides adequate retirement incomes for all.

Anglicare Australia has written a letter to support the response of EPIC Assist to the Disability Employment Services Discussion Paper and add some reflections that come from the network more widely. The Disability Employment Services discussion paper strongly echoes discussions being had in other areas of service delivery: the need for more user choice and control, more competition, better outcomes and the right funding models to deliver them.

Anglicare Australia has made the following submission to a draft model for the delivery of an integrated carers' support system. Anglicare Australia argues that the design of a comprehensive integrated carers’ support system demonstrates a real investigation into the complexity of life for the many people in Australia who are voluntary, mostly family, carers. As commentary in the draft model makes clear, the proposed new system needs to draw on the connections with the ongoing reforms in aged and disability care.

Anglicare Australia has made a submission to the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council regarding the Fifth National Mental Health Plan. Our response is shaped by shared view that the Australia does not yet have an inclusive, coherent, positive approach to mental health despite years of inquiry, analysis and planning. Anglicare Australia recognises there has been a considerable body of government work, including four previous National Mental Health Plans, a ten-year COAG Roadmap for Mental Health Reform and a Review of Mental Health Programs and Services by the National Mental Health Commission.

Positions Vacant? When the Jobs Aren’t There is the title of the 2016 report, and it is informed by Anglicare Australia's first Jobs Availability Snapshot.

Anglicare Australia has developed the hashtag #AntiPovertyPriority to mark Anti-Poverty Week, which began on the 16th and continues to the 22nd of October. In a short video, staff of the Anglicare Australia National office have shared their own visions for eliminating poverty in Australia. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uuTx4ECBRc) As the ACOSS Poverty in Australia report launched yesterday reminds us, Australia’s poorest people are getting poorer, an increasing number of children are being left behind and the inadequacy of basic income support is being denied by those who can simply look the other way.

"Releasing the information that tells us about the impact of public funding and programs is an important step towards finding a formula for long term investment in our communities. However, in the process, we need to ensure that our goal remains the wellbeing of people, not merely reducing the welfare cost to our bottom line.”

Today Anglicare Victoria launched a Raising our children: Guiding young Victorians in care into adulthood, a socioeconomic cost benefit analysis commissioned from Deloitte Access Economics. It provides the evidence of the wide economic and social benefit of extending support to young people in state care from 18 to 21 years.

Kasy Chambers, Executive Director of Anglicare Australia today argued that minority government can be a good thing and that this negotiating period is an opportunity for political parties to focus on governing for a more inclusive society.