Help Create a Better State!

About Social Infrastructure

sacoss — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:33:45 +0000

The Global Financial Crisis, precipitated by the sub-prime crisis in the US and caused by the unregulated global trade in credit default swaps, has left companies, financial institutions and national economies across the world vulnerable if not insolvent. The Australian and South Australian economies are not immune to the negative effects of the global economic downturn, with the national economy set to enter into recession and the state economy not expected to escape unscathed. While there is some hope that South Australia will escape the worst of the downturn, higher levels of unemployment and lower levels of economic activity can be expected in the medium term.

Robust policy initiatives that recognise the continuum from education and training opportunities to employment (and ultimately broader social participation), will represent investment in a sustainable future and a reinvigorated economy for South Australia.

Visit the Box File in the sidebar to download the Social Infrastructure Principles Paper, and also the Fact Sheet.

About Law & Justice

sacoss — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:29:58 +0000

The continued use of punitive sanctions to control and deter criminal behaviour rests upon a general historical misunderstanding of the effectiveness and appropriateness of this method of punishment. The current criminal justice system and the persistent sensationalist ‘get tough’ initiatives by governments, both preceding and current, have previously enjoyed widespread support within South Australia as both politicians and the media promulgate populist perceptions of crime. Citizens have previously been confident in the efficacy of our punitive criminal justice system, and there has been support for harsher penalties that are perceived to contribute to a safer society by increasingly incarcerating people who commit criminal offences. Conversely there has been a growing acknowledgement of the failures of this system to address the sociological contributors to criminal behaviour, and subsequently the development of early intervention and prevention measures.

Visit the Box File to download the Law & Justice Principles Paper, and also the Law & Justice Fact Sheet.

About Housing

sacoss — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:23:46 +0000

Affordable housing is not a reality for many Australians. Of South Australians who are unable to afford their own home and are in the private rental market, approximately 33.4% are affected by a phenomenon known as housing stress. Housing stress affects low income households who form the lowest percent of the income distribution range and spend 30% of the household’s gross income on housing costs. Housing stress affects the health and wellbeing of individuals negatively and can precipitate a variety of physical, mental and emotional conditions, both chronic and acute. These correlations make it clear that housing is a social determinant of health, and needs to be treated as part of the web of factors affecting the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, households and ultimately society. In the instance of low income earners, unaffordable housing can affect social participation, causing further strain on health and wellbeing.

Visit the Box File in the sidebar to download the Housing Principles Paper and also the Housing Fact Sheet.

About Concessions

sacoss — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:20:32 +0000

The South Australian Government provides a range of concessions, including (but not limited to) those for energy; public transport; water and sewerage; vehicle registration and licensing fees; stamp duty; telephone bills; and prescription spectacles. These concessions are meant to provide a means for low income and disadvantaged South Australians to gain access to essential goods and services by making them more affordable.
As in other jurisdictions, concessions in South Australia are often ill-directed, lacking in clarity, and, most significantly, lacking in both horizontal and vertical equity. While certain concessions are available to some people on medium or high incomes, these concessions are not available to some people on lower incomes. This creates a major equity issue, and flows from the inability or unwillingness of state/territory and federal governments to implement a national, integrated approach to concessions.

Visit the Box File in the sidebar to download our Concessions Principles Paper and also the Fact Sheet.

About Child Health & Wellbeing

sacoss — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:13:33 +0000

A fully functioning and effective child protection system is vital for the protection of our most vulnerable and at risk children. The potential for a fully funded and comprehensive system to contribute positively to the lives of abused and neglected children is vast; many of the negative and damaging consequences of abuse could be significantly reduced. However, it is clear that the South Australian child protection system is straining under the weight of marked increases in notifications, substantiations and demand for alternative care places. All of this in a sector experiencing difficulty in meeting the needs of the children already within the system.

Visit the Box File in the sidebar to download our Child Protection Principles Paper and also the Fact Sheet.

Qualifications and employment

sacoss — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:56:27 +0000

50.7% of South Australians have post-school qualifications (such as a University degree or a TAFE certificate) compared to the Australian average of 53.9%

In April 2009, the unemployment rate in South Australia was 5.8%, compared to the national average of 5.4%

Mental health

sacoss — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:50:57 +0000

One in five Australians will experience a mental health problem during their lifetime.

50% of mental health patients remain in hospital because they have no suitable place to go after being discharged.

Life expectancy gap

sacoss — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:47:50 +0000

The life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is 17 years less than for other South Australians.

Price of Crime

sacoss — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:42:31 +0000

It costs each South Australian taxpayer $185 per day to accommodate each prisoner in our prison system. This equates to $67,525 per prisoner, per year.

In 2005 crime cost Australia $36 billion – 4.1% of our gross domestic product (GDP).

Concessions

sacoss — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:35:44 +0000

21.6% of South Australians receive 90% or more of their main source of income from government cash benefits.

In 2005/06, South Australia’s expenditure on “core” concessions (such as energy, public transport, water and vehicle registration) was $89 million.