Hot Issues contains important information, updates, resources, downloads, directories and calandars of upcoming events relating to current high priority issues within the community sector. For information, articles and papers on other issues, please refer to our Resources section.
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Current hot issues:
Listed in order of most recently updated
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Updated: 29 September 2008
The NSW Children's Services Forum is conducting a survey of NSW preschools to gather information on the affordability and financial viability of community based preschools given the recent changes to funding arrangements by the NSW Government.
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Updated: 12 September 2008
On 23 July 2008, ACOSS and NCOSS held an initial consultation on the development of a national compact between the sector and the Commonwealth Government. The consultation was an important early opportunity to discuss compacts and to help shape the national compact. Another consultation will be held in Blacktown on 29 September 2008. Comments on the discussion paper are also invited.
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Updated: 5 September 2008
Information on the proposed split of Home and Community Care Services (HACC) between the
Federal Government, (older people) and the States (people with
disabilities).
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Updated: 5 September 2008
In March 2007 NCOSS developed a proposal for a leadership program specifically for Indigenous women working in the NSW community sector. Since then we have been consistently seeking funding to progress the project.
This article outlines the development of the project and the next steps forward.
Download: Indigenous Women - Sector Leaders
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Updated: 4 September 2008
This consultation on 24 September 2008 will inform the development of new priorities for the Justice Health Consumer and Community Group (CCG). Registrations have now closed and we are fully subscribed.
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Updated: 2 September 2008
In 1997, NCOSS proposed to the NSW Government that a statement outlining the shared objectives and the complementary roles of, and the principles of the relationship between, the NSW Government and the NSW non-for-profit human services sector be developed. The Communique from the August 2008 WTFNSW Implementation meeting has been released.
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Updated: 1 September 2008
Compacts or 'written agreements' between governments and the community sector have been developed in several countries over the past decade.
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Updated: 1 September 2008
The final stage of the Preschool Investment and Reform (PIRP) was announced by the Premier on 25 August 2008.
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Updated: 28 August 2008
The NSW Department of Health Management Board gave formal support to a Review of Community Health Services in NSW and endorsed the Terms of Reference in late 2007. As part of the review process, advice will be sought from a range of key stakeholders. NCOSS will hold a Community Health Review Consultation on 1 September 2008.
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Updated: 26 August 2008
As the National Affordable Housing Agreement is being finalised, it's time to urge the Federal Government to increase funding for social housing. NCOSS supports the current campaign by Shelter NSW aimed at increasing the funding for social housing.
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Updated: 26 August 2008
Following the election of the Rudd Labor Government in November last year, much work is being done by both the Federal and State/Territory Governments on what is being called the National Reform Agenda. This work is happening mainly through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) processes. There is a great deal of work being done about the appropriate roles and responsibilities for each tier of Government and how governments working together can better deliver services.
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Updated: 12 August 2008
The NSW Oral Health Alliance is undertaking a survey of NSW non-government organisations and their clients in order to gather information on access to public dental services in NSW for low income and disadvantaged people.
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Updated: 7 August 2008
On 24 January 2008, The Hon Reba Meagher, MP, the NSW Minister for Health, announced a Special Commission of Inquiry into the delivery of patient care within the NSW Public Health System. The first report from the inquiry has been released. Please note this report focuses on the circumstances surrounding the employment of Graeme Reeves by the former Southern Area Health Service.
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Updated:1 August 2008
The Formalising Partnerships Resource Kit was funded by DoCS and developed by Tim Childs Consulting in partnership with NCOSS.
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Updated:30 July 2008
NCOSS has been advised that the Ministry of Transport has agreed to increase indexation for NGOs funded by the Community Transport Program and the Area Assistance Scheme from 2.5 to 3.3 percent.
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Updated: 17 July 2008
Since the start of 2008, as a result of a change in Government, there has been an increasing amount of change being proposed across Australia. Much of this is to be driven through COAG processes. This change is happening quickly and it can be difficult to stay in touch with what is happening.
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Updated: 8 July 2008
The development of a state-wide industry plan for the sector was a priority recommendation in the last NCOSS Pre-Budget Submission to the NSW Government.
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Updated: 3 July 2008
Poverty and severe hardship affect more than one million Australians. Around the world, more than one billion people are desperately poor. Anti-Poverty Week is an Australia-wide initiative that began several years ago and continues to grow. This United Nations recognised event will be held from 12-18 October this year.
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Updated: 3 July 2008
The non-government members of the Community Services Grants Program (CSGP) Roundtable have prepared a joint Communiqué in response to the 2008-2009 NSW Government budget statement announced by the Treasurer, Michael Costa, on 3 June 2008. They have also produced two submissions to the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services regarding the aims of CSGP.
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Updated: 1 July 2008
The Federal Government’s Green Paper on Homelessness Which Way Home? was released by the Prime Minister Mr Rudd on 22 May.
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Updated: 11 June 2008
The ACOSS Australian Community Sector Survey 2008 has been released and shows that despite an increase in funding that demand for community services is still outstripping the sector’s capacity to deliver those services.
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Updated: 5 June 2008
The 2008-09 NSW State Budget was released on 3 June 2008. NCOSS has prepared an analysis summary and our full analysis will appear in the July edition of NCOSS News.
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Updated: 2 June 2008
The Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on Children and Young People commenced an inquiry into Children and Young People 9-14 years in NSW in February 2008. NCOSS prepared a submission to the Inquiry.
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Updated: 15 May 2008
Following a review of the Associations Incorporation Act 1984, various proposed amendments have been developed and are detailed in the Exposure Draft Associations Incorporation Bill 2008.
Note: Submissions closed 11 April 2008
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Updated: 15 May 2008
In April, NSW Health began collecting information for a review of the Operational Guidelines for the NSW Health NGO Grant Program. They requested that NCOSS and other NSW NGO Health Peaks consult with their members on a preliminary set of questions. These questions were circulated to the members of the NSW NGO Health Peaks, including through FONGA.
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Updated: 2 May 2008
The Community Transport Service Type Review will examine
community transport services funded under the Home and Community Care (HACC)
Program, the Community Transport Program and the Area Assistance Scheme.
The primary aim of the Review is the development of
Community Transport Service Type Guidelines including good practice principles.
Download: Terms of Reference
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Updated: 11 April 2008
Recent research from the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council identifies seven primary preconditions for the development of a skilled community services workforce; the first of which is the funding model. The report asserts that a low cost funding environment undermines the potential for training growth.
download: Executive Summary: “Identifying paths to skills growth or skill recession: Decisions for workforce development in the community services and health industries”
website: www.cshisc.com.au
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Updated: 13 March 2008
Specific Purpose Payments (SPPs) are grants provided by the Commonwealth government to the States and Territories for specific purposes (as differentiated from those provided for general purposes). There are many SPPs that affect funding for health programs, including those provided by community and non-government organisations.
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Updated: 7 March 2008
The Minister for Gaming and Racing introduced new Guidelines for the Community Development and Support Expenditure (CDSE) Scheme in November 2007.
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Updated: 20 July 2007
The Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement, CSTDA, is a joint five year Agreement between the Australian Government and the governments of the states and territories about the provision of funding to support people with disabilities. The third CSTDA ended on 30 June 2007 and negotiations have been extended for six months. However many in the NSW disability sector have serious concerns.
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Updated: 13 July 2007
In 2006-07, following a strong campaign from the sector, the NSW Government agreed to provide 3.3% indexation to all State funded services, including the State portion of programs jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the State. For HACC services, 3.3% for services was negotiated through the HACC State plan, but the Commonwealth’s share was taken out of growth. The Commonwealth did not provide indexation at a level that would meet SACS increases.
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Updated: 14 November 2006
In launching the State Plan, A New Direction for NSW, the Premier, Morris Iemma, has signalled a new way of working for the NSW Government. The Plan sets out 14 long term social, economic and environmental goals for the State, highlights 34 priority areas for action and sets out 60 measurable targets against which progress can be judged.
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Hot Issues 
