Opinion pieces

Anglicare Victoria is a vocal contributor to public debate. The following articles draw on our extensive work with vulnerable children, young people and families across the sate as well as research from our own team and other trusted sources.

30 August

Election bypass for disadvantaged Australians

To be frank, life will continue comfortably on for most Australians, irregardless of who finally secures government. However, for the struggling 20 per cent at the bottom of our community, the outcome matters greatly.

16 July 2010

Education overhaul needed to lift children in care out of participation void

The recent call for a cultural shift to valuing education in Australian life is both overdue and welcome, particularly when it comes to our most vulnerable and disadvantaged children struggling for attention within the school system.

21 May 2010

Alternative care in Australia

There are many reasons why children and young people may be in need of care and protection which may result in the provision of alternative care.

In Australia Child protection services are the responsibility of State governments and it is only in recent times that the National government has shown interest in setting common standards across the country.

12 January 2010

Protecting children online takes more than a filter

The Federal Government’s planned internet filter has reignited the debate over how best to maintain civil liberties while simultaneously protecting children and other vulnerable members of the community from inappropriate and potentially harmful material.

30 December 2009

Children put at risk by overburdened system

Child Protection services in Victoria and throughout Australia are under duress as they are in many parts of the world. As families continue to buckle under the pressures of modern living, children are increasingly suffering from abuse and neglect.

This spreading disease must stop.

09 June 2009

Beyond recovery

In delivering its recent Federal Budget, The Rudd Government made the assumption that our economy will recover in the near future and we can expect an improved outlook over the next twelve months or shortly afterwards.

29 April 2009

State Budget - dark times call for investment in a brighter future

How fast things change. After years of trying to contain inflation in the face of a resources boom, our governments are now searching for ways to pump money into a flagging economy to underpin employment and keep families afloat.

December 2008

Housing costs and home security

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd recently made a commitment to spend $1.5 billion on housing in Australia. This is a significant announcement and one that could have a major impact on the quality, availability and affordability of housing in this country.

11 December 2008

Protection system in need of reform

Child protection systems around the nation are failing to keep children safe and without significant change, things are only going to get worse.

24 November 2008

System in crisis but carers deserve praise

A number of recent media articles have highlighted problems within the NSW foster care system, which are symptomatic of a broader crisis facing out of home care Australia-wide.

30 October 2008

More needed to stop family violence

Family violence is a growing problem in Victoria and more needs to be done to protect women and families and to prevent adolescents from developing violent behaviour.

15 October 2008

Increasing hardship demands long term change

Thousands of low income Australians received an early Christmas present from the Rudd government on Tuesday with the announcement of a $10.4 billion package to boost spending in the face of global economic downturn.

13 October 2008

Social gain as important as economic in fight against poverty

Levels of poverty in Australia are debateable (as we have no official measurement) but what isn’t debateable, is the fact that more and more Australians are facing significant hardship brought on by substantial increases in the cost housing, food, petrol and utilities.

06 September 2008

An alternative Christian voice in public policy

A healthy and vibrant democracy requires, in fact demands, active participation by the people with their elected governments in determining policies to protect and ensure the wellbeing and protection of all its citizens.

15 July 2008

Tax cuts failing to prevent hardship

Petrol prices are a hot topic right now but for the 2.5 million Australians who use welfare services each year, it is only one thread in a complex web of hardship.

08 April 2008

Waking to a new social landscape

Australia is slowly awakening from what social researcher, Hugh Mackay, refers to as our ‘dreamy period’. This was a time when many Australians were disengaged with the social and political landscape, focused inward on their own lives and of the general belief that all was well.

4 March 2008

State Government takes long odds and risks problem gamblers

Victorian Premier John Brumby may have played down predictions of a $1.5 billion government tax boon from new gaming giant Intralot’s aggressive push into the ‘scratchies’ market but there is no doubt his government will reap massive cash rewards from the venture.

22 January 2008

Government cost cutting must not be borne by most vulnerable

Rising inflation and the pressure to significantly cut spending mean the Rudd Government is facing its first major challenge since taking office.