In this submission, Anglicare Australia refutes greater marketisation of employment services as the most appropriate model, and expresses serious concerns regarding a system which allows the abuse of power by private providers. We support consideration of further regulation of the industry and establishment of a clear complaints system and advocacy by an independent third party. These changes are needed to ensure a fair employment services system which effectively meet the needs of all Australians, especially those experiencing significant barriers to getting and keeping a job.

Anglicare Australia’s submission to the Select Committee on Charity Fundraising in the 21st Century focuses on the role that charities have played in improving policy development in Australia, and makes recommendations on how to remove obstacles to fundraise for this work. Our hope is that the Select Committee will recognise the need to offer tangible incentives to donate to organisations with a charitable purpose, including advocacy.

Anglicare Australia has a strong appreciation of the value and importance of the APS. This submission offers critical reflections because we have seen the the positive outcomes that are achieved when the APS is able to act at its best. However, we have also observed the severe harm to people in our community as a consequence of poor understanding, evaluation, and response to risk by the APS.

In this submission, Anglicare Australia recommends that the Senate reject the Cashless Debit Card Trial Expansion Bill in its entirety. Our input is based on the compulsory nature of this trial, the absence of evidence, the failure to conduct comprehensive consultation, and the lack of community support for the trial. Given these factors and the cost of further trialling, it is time for the Senate to end this expensive failed experiment and halt the expansion of the Cashless Debit Card in Australia.

This submission commends the Government for its proposed changes to the Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2018. The proposed measures will help unite people with their superannuation and prevent any low-balance accounts from being eroded; something of great assistance to people on low incomes and with work histories that have seen them earn small amounts over their working life. This is particularly important to women who have taken years out of the workforce to care for children and those who have worked part time for several years to fit in with caring duties.

In this submission Anglicare Australia acknowledged the significant and valuable contributions of previous panels and committees in advancing constitutional recognition, and the detailed recommendations of these inquiries and urged the committee to privilege the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, seeking meaningful reform and the assurance of consultation, greater self-determination and progress towards agreement-making.

This submission stressed that the proposed assessment guidelines and matrix for monetary payments must be made publicly available as a matter of urgency prior to the passage of the Bills. Without the public release of this assessment matrix and guidelines, it would be impossible to determine whether the Scheme will deliver transparency, consistency and fairness for survivors.

This submission stressed the importance that any new policy around adoption needs to consider the legacies of past policies and practices with respect to the separation of children from first families as well as poor practices of forced adoption for many women. Anglicare Australia recommended that the committee adopt the major actions identified by the Family Matters coalition.

This submission draws on the experience of Anglicare agencies partnering with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations in working for a more just and equal Australia. Anglicare Australia calls for the principles of self-determination, genuine listening, co-design and long-term partnerships to take precedence over bureaucratic systems and power structures.

In this submission, we note that the underlying problem with this bill is that it treats drug addiction as a social security issue, rather than a health issue. Anglicare Australia urges the Committee and the Senate to reject the drug testing bill in its entirety, as the proposed measures are discriminatory and not supported by evidence.