Providing better pathways for vulnerable women: a gendered analysis of welfare reform

The McClure interim report raises many questions about the structure and adequacy of Australia’s welfare system. It highlights that single parents, carers and people with disability have lower levels of employment than others in the community, and that the income support and welfare systems need to reflect the needs and challenges of these groups.

What is not explicit is the gendered nature of this problem. Dr Rhonda Cumberland, CEO of Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, reflects that by ignoring gender, the review neglects some of the preventable costs that can be reduced in the Australian welfare system.

Creating using evidence, IssuesPower to Persuade12 August 2014research, gender, social welfare

A louder voice, not a harsher one: Q and A with David Hayward

David Hayward from RMIT University answers some questions about how to influence policy, the use of research, and the importance of understanding the process.

AdvocacyPower to Persuade11 August 2014communication

Taming the monster: can the third sector distinguish its unique contribution?

In response to a recent speech by Tony Nicholson, several weeks ago Associate Professor Helen Dickinson (@drhdickinson) argued that 'we need to be clear about the specific strengths and skills of the sector' in any discussion about its future and funding. In a followup post, Dr James Rees (@JamesRees_tsrc) from the Third Sector Research Centre examines why and in what ways third sector organisations offer something distinctive. This is the first of three blog posts from James which tackle this issue

Policy and governancePower to Persuade8 August 2014community sector

Mental Health and the prison system: a policy concern

Mental health care is a significant policy challenge facing our prison systems in Australia. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1 in 3 people entering prison have a diagnosed mental illness; almost 2.5 times the rate of the general population. There is growing concern that people with an untreated mental illness are more likely to be imprisoned due to a lack of community-based care. There is also concern about the lack of quality of mental health care in prisons, and its implications for those making the transition back into the community. In this article, Stephen Hall, Leader Mission and Service, Baptistcare WA, outlines the need for better mental health services for the prison population. While the focus is on Western Australia, the issues raised here will resonate nationally, and internationally.

This article originally appeared on Stephen Hall's professional blog.

IssuesPower to Persuade6 August 2014prisons

Homelessness research and the influence of targeted policy

Is it more effective to target interventions at those most in need? Or should we 'act universally', addressing the basic welfare of all? When it comes to addressing the causes of inequality, there is growing evidence to suggest that universal approaches are more effective. Despite this, policymakers find a continuing appeal in targeted social programs, reserving social services for the most disadvantaged groups in society. In taking this road, are policymakers failing to address the root causes of disadvantage? In light of Homeless Persons' Week, Dr Pauline McLoughlin (@PJ_McLoughlin), from RMIT University, and Dr Gemma Carey (@gemcarey) from ANU explore how homelessness research in Australia must grapple with a strong current of highly targeted policy.

Twitter and blogs reflect underlying passion of academic research

The role of the academic humanist has always been a public one – however mediated through teaching and publication, argues Tim Hitchcock. As a central means to participate in public conversations, Twitter and blogging just make good academic sense. Hitchcock looks at how these new platforms are facilitating academic collaboration, teaching and public engagement. What starts as a blog, ends as an academic output, and an output with a ready-made audience, eager to cite it.

Creating using evidence, AdvocacyPower to Persuade4 August 2014research, communication

Social Policy Whisperer: Andrew Forrest and the Government's welfare nightmare

Years of research neglect have left the Abbott government ill prepared for the challenge of welfare reform. Its first budget disaster arose precisely because it did not understand the post financial crisis policy context. Its calls for economic heavy lifting have not been matched by distributional fairness. Having experienced a period of economic reform when the benefits went disproportionately to the rich, people now simply wont buy an economic reform program which is not also socially inclusive. The question is can the government learn quickly enough on the job to get its social policy agenda on track before the next election?

Keeping it civil - difference, tradition and morality in policy conversations

One of the tasks we set ourselves at PTP was articulating the value each of us sees, from our own sectoral vantage points, of creating a space to talk about policy processes. Today, Dr Kathy Landvogt shares her views on working on process (not just issue or topic) and how PTP has extended the work of her team, while strengthening their original mandate.

AdvocacyDr. Kathy Landvogt30 July 2014communication

Targets: dammed if you do, dammed if you don't

Part Two of Professor Christina Boswell's (from the University of Edinburgh) thoughts on the use of targets in public policy. A no win situation?

Collaboration is subversive

Geoff Aigner is the director of Social Leadership Australia (@leadership_SLA). As part of the Benevolent Society Social Leadership Australia draws on best practice leadership thinking and techniques with social insights. You can check out their highly regarded leadership program here.

Politics: boundless win-wins?

Last night, when accepting the John Button Prize, David Marr gave a truly engaging talk on the many faces and facets of Tony Abbott. He eloquently drew out Abbott's (anti)freedom agenda, highlighting discontent on both the left and right of politics with the current state of affairs. Surrounded by "latte sipping lefties", Marr's analysis fell on appreciative ears (my own included). I would be highly surprised if the room contained a single conservative. Upon reflection, I can't help but wonder whether we on the Left are limiting ourselves and our ability to change current politics by lowering ourselves to the 'us versus them' approach. Below, Professor Evelyne De Leeuw (@evelynedeleeuw) challenges us to go beyond oppositional politics for the greater good.

Policy and governancePower to Persuade24 July 2014politics and democracy

Targets in Public Policy: Disciplining or Signaling?

Targets are a popular tool in public policy, held up as a way to promote integration and accountability. Below, Professor Christina Boswell looks at how effective they really are. You can check out her full report here.

Science and the perils of the press release: who is to blame?

Researchers often bemoan the beatups in the media about their work, yet a recent UK study shows that many university press releases exaggerate or hype research findings or made them more determinist. UK scientist and blogger Alasdair Taylor looks at the risks of "churnalism" and asks in the wake of a recent conference: can scientists themselves offer the needed reflection on their research that an investigative journalist might do?

Creating using evidence, AdvocacyPower to Persuade17 July 2014research, media

Practitioners in the 'art of government' what do policy makers, politicians, lobbyists say about the policy process?

Researchers Dr Gemma Carey (@gemcarey) and Brad Crammond have interviewed a range of politicians, senior past and present bureaucrats, government advisors and lobbyists to find ways to break down barriers between sectors, close research practice gaps and create policy change. Their report was released this week at a research forum hosted by the national Social Determinants of Health Alliance (SDOHA).

Achieving social change: burning platform, compelling narrative, agitators, friends & solutions

Julia Unwin, CEO of the United Kingdom's Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) visited Australia in May 2014 as a guest of the Reichstein Foundation. For the trip, she released a discussion paper on Poverty inequality and a modern social contract relevant for a changing world. We thank her for permission to publish this excerpt from the paper, titled: Achieving social change.

AdvocacyMarie McInerney14 July 2014communication

Is the strength of civil society declining even as its size expands?

There are more civil society organizations in the world today than at any other time in history. Then why, asks United States writer and activist Michael Edwards*, isn't their impact growing?

Policy and governancePower to Persuade11 July 2014politics and democracy

Costs and benefits to regulation

Regulation and red tape are often held up as barriers to productivity and and innovation. Yet the benefits of good regulation that afford protection for consumers are many. Gerard Brody, CEO of Consumer Action Law Centre, explores the implications of the Federal Government's commitment to reduce the "regulatory burden" on business by $1 billion each year.

Policy and governancePower to Persuade8 July 2014government

Managing Income Management

The McClure report and other research has suggested that income management may be helpful to some, and for others it does not necessarily make things worse. In light of the 'budget emergency,' David Tennant, CEO of Family Care, questions the logic of income management in light of this, and the pitfalls and challenges for the people in his community who are subject to it.

Policy and governanceTanya Corrie4 July 2014service and social protection reform

Back to the future?

Is the McClure report Mark II just another attempt to solve an ideological problem that has never existed? In this post, Professor David Haywood, Dean of the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT discusses the misnomer of welfare dependency and the tendency of history to repeat itself.

Policy and governancePower to Persuade3 July 2014community sector

Extension ladders or parallel bars? The future of the community welfare sector

There is a lot at stake in how the community sector positions itself in response to its changing environment. Many, including Tony Nicholson from the Brotherhood of St Laurence, are concerned that the sector will lose its connection to community because of its increasing professionalisation and contracting to government. This was expressed in a recent speech he made about the future of the welfare sector. However, as Helen Dickenson (@drhdickinson), Assoc. Prof with the Melbourne School of Government notes, this is not a new problem. The sector has grappled with its relationship to the state for some time. In order for the sector to not become ‘policy victims’, they must stop finger pointing to negotiate their role

Policy and governancePower to Persuade1 July 2014cross-sector relationships

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