ACOSS Reports & Submissions
Each year ACOSS prepares numerous submissions to the Federal Government. We also undertake research and produce reports on policy areas that impact disadvantaged Australians. The latest ACOSS submissions and topical papers appear below as downloadable links.
Most recent papers
May 2010
This brief summary of the Henry Review's key social security reform proposals compares them with those advanced by ACOSS, and the Government's response.
On the whole, the Review Panel's proposals regarding working age payments are disappointing. Although the review identifies the key flaws in the present payment structure - that people in similar circumstances are paid at different rates, that these gaps are growing, that the system is too complex, and that people on pension payments are discouraged from seeking employment by the risk of a large drop in income support - the Panel's proposals fall well short of a reform agenda to resolve these problems. The report does, however, call for gaps between payments to be reduced and for all working age payments to be indexed in the same way (above inflation) to keep in touch with community living standards and ensure the gaps do not widen.
May 2010
This brief summary of the Henry Review's key tax reform proposals compares them with those advanced by ACOSS, and the Government's response.
The report provides a robust framework for future reform of the tax system. It is clear from that many of our proposals were adopted by the Review, though it is not yet clear whether they will be adopted by the Government and some key proposals have been ruled out. Our proposal to reform the tax treatment of superannuation contributions was adopted by the Review panel, along with more consistent tax treatment of investment income generally, restrictions on negative gearing, a broadening of Land Tax, the removal of inequitable tax offsets (such as the Senior Australians Tax Offset and the tax break on ‘golden handshakes'), a standard deduction for work expenses, and the extension of the pension income test ‘deeming' arrangements.
April 2010
ACOSS has released its five benchmarks for equitable social security reforms, asking whether the Henry report will:
1. Equalise core social security payments for people of working age (pensions and allowances)?
2. Propose new supplements for people with disabilities, sole parent families, and job search and training expenses?
3. Increase in Family Tax Benefits and Youth Allowances to prevent poverty among families with older children?
4. Reform social security income tests to encourage unemployed people to seek part time and casual jobs?
5. Simplify income testing and taxation for pensioners?
April 2010
ACOSS is calling for the introduction of a single base payment rate for all people of working age on income support to fix problems in the current system where some people are paid $120 per week less than others.
In a report released today, ACOSS says payments to over 2 million Australians - disability support pensioners, carers, sole parents, unemployed people and students - should be overhauled.
Base payments would be topped up for extra costs, such as rent, disability, caring, education and training. Couples would receive 1.5 times the single rate.
April 2010
ACOSS today released ten critical questions that should be answered by the Henry tax review to ensure Australia builds an equitable and efficient tax system with enough revenue for the community in the future.
"The Henry review has a once-in-a-generation chance to lock-in key reforms to guarantee there is adequate public revenue to fund services and income support needed by Australians as the population ages," said Clare Martin, CEO, Australian Council of Social Service.
April 2010
Equal remuneration case for social and community service (SACS) workers
ACOSS has established an Employer Reference Group as a working group for the not-for-profit social service sector comprising employer organisations, peak representative bodies and unions involved in the equal remuneration case for SACS workers. Its objectives are to facilitate communication and collaboration across the sector through the lifetime of the case and the campaign for funding of any wage increases. It provides a focus for sector organisations to develop strategies and messages in relation to the campaign for funding; and through which to be apprised of developments and provide input into the case. ACOSS will be communicating regularly with our members as the campaign for funding develops.
March 2010
March 2010
March 2010
ACOSS has developed a glossary of terms that encompass the breadth of sector development work currently underway. This is a resource for the sector and an effort to clarify some of the language and terms used variously in social and community services across the country. For example, the following terms are used in different parts of the country and are often interchangeable: individualised service agreements; direct service delivery; consumer-directed purchasing; personalised social care; self-directed funding; individualised funding; individualised care packages; personalised budgets; individualised support packages; self managed care; direct funding; and consumer choice.
March 2010
Recommendations for the Federal Budget 2010-11
In this submission, ACOSS outlines policy recommendations for consideration by the Federal Government in its 2010-11 Budget. These recommendations allow the Government to continue its vital funding for social security payments; for social and community services to alleviate the effects of poverty and its consequent social exclusion; and to prioritise the expenditure of public funds in the context of the global recession and its impact upon revenue.
Specifically, ACOSS is urging the Federal Government to tackle growing disadvantage among unemployed Australians by setting up a program of paid work experience and by lifting unemployment payments for singles by $45 per week.
