1 February 2012
The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) welcomes the decision today by Fair Work Australia in the Equal Pay Case for community sector workers.

The decision will see increases in pay for workers who work with some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our communities.

NCOSS Director, Alison Peters said, "This is a significant decision in what has been a long process and recognises the value of the work done by the sector. Fair wages will allow for these services to continue being viable and effective".

"The NSW Government has said they will fund their fair share of the outcome from the case. We now need to sit down with the Government and other funders to make sure this happens and give organisations and their staff certainty", Ms Peters said.

"Full funding will allow organisations in the sector to provide fair and equal pay for workers and also develop and support quality services for the people and communities that rely on them," Ms Peters said.

Media Contact: Alison Peters, Director 0425 231 814 (mob) (02) 9211 2599 (wk)

1 February 2012
ACOSS has welcomed today's decision by Fair Work Australia in the landmark equal pay case for community sector workers.

"This is a milestone for equal pay and a crucial step towards ensuring viable, effective social services by requiring appropriate levels of pay for the staff we depend upon to deliver those services," said ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie.

"This decision is the first step in addressing the historical undervaluing of community sector workers. However, we are looking at the longer implementation phase to ensure that it doesn't undermine service effectiveness over time."

"Importantly, to truly give effect to the decision, community organisations need to be funded for higher wages. The decision is fairly moderate in the context of projected salary rises over time, particularly in the public service. This makes it all the more vital that the funding required to cover higher wages is made available as soon as possible."

"We call on all governments, as well as non-government funders to engage directly and immediately with the community sector over implementation of higher wage costs based on full funding for community services," Dr Goldie said.

The decision on the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 found:

• FWA granted higher wage rates as agreed by the ASU and the Commonwealth Government (in November 2011 agreement) and in the order of the rates previously found by the Queensland precedent case.
• FWA ordered that the rates be implemented over a longer period of time than proposed in the application: 8 years in 9 equal instalments.

Media Contact: Fernando de Freitas, ACOSS – 0419 626 155

The Australian and State and Territory Councils of Social Service today warmly welcome the release of the Final report of the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and fully endorse its recommendations.

In the days and weeks ahead, we again urge all politicians and political parties in the country to show good faith and responsibility, welcoming the considered advice of experts on this important area of long overdue constitutional reform. We must engage in a sincere and mature debate on this important issue. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to include our first peoples in the single most important framing document of our nation.

The official apology to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Stolen Generations in 2008 showed deep community sentiment for a new relationship based on respect and equality. The community services sector knows all too well the enormous disparity that exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in our frontline daily work providing crucial assistance to the most disadvantaged in society.

We know Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples still face gross inequities and are the single most disadvantaged group in our country on virtually every conceivable measure. It is essential that any recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples includes the removal of racially discriminatory elements within the Constitution that can otherwise undermine a statement of recognition.

We look forward to working together with all those committed to social justice and human rights in ensuring that this process of constitutional reform is conducted with informed care, and considered deliberation.

For comment, please contact ACOSS on 0419 626 155

Signatories

• Dr Cassandra Goldie - ACOSS Chief Executive Officer
• Alison Peters - NCOSS Director
• Cath Smith - VCOSS Chief Executive Officer
• Irina Cattalini - WACOSS Chief Executive Officer
• Wendy Morton - NTCOSS Executive Director
• Roslyn Dundas - ACTCOSS Director
• Tony Reidy - TASCOSS Chief Executive Officer
• Mark Henley - QCOSS Director
• Ross Womersley - SACOSS Executive Director

9 December 2011
NCOSS has welcomed the determination made by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to reduce maximum fares for rural bus services, bringing rural bus fares in line with those for country town services from 1 January 2012.

Maximum fares for rural bus services will fall by an average of 8%, making bus fares more affordable for people travelling on contracted services outside country towns, in villages and between villages and towns.

NCOSS Director, Alison Peters, said, "The lack of affordable and accessible transport services is a huge concern for many people living in country NSW. This determination is a small but positive step towards making the transport system fairer for people outside metropolitan areas."

The need to address transport disadvantage is consistently identified as a priority by rural and regional communities, with the lack of transport seen as a barrier to accessing jobs, education, healthcare and other services, and as a major contributor to social exclusion.

Alison Peters said, "In rural and regional areas, bus services are often the only viable transport option for people who, for whatever reason, are unable to access a private vehicle. It’s important, therefore, that this option remains affordable".

NCOSS will continue to advocate for other improvements to transport services in rural and regional areas, including the lack of services, inequities in concessions, and accessibility.  

Media Contact: Alison Peters, Director 0425 231 814 (mob); (02) 9211 2599 (wk)

10 November 2011
NCOSS welcomes the announcement today by Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard, MP to commit $2billion over 6 years to fund equal pay for workers who work with some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our communities.

28 October 2011
As Children's Week (23-29 October) focuses attention on our youngest Australians, the NSW Children's Services Forum has welcomed the release by the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs of the draft Education and Care Services National Regulations, which will improve the quality of early childhood education and care services across Australia. The NSW Children's Services Forum collectively represents around 2,000 services across NSW that are affected by these regulations.