SACOSS is concerned both by the potential unintended consequences of changes to legislation around South Australians' rights to peaceful protest, and the speed with which these changes are being made.
South Australia's record of progress arising from the work of the labour, environmental, and civil society movements is an enviable one. And peaceful protest has often been vital in helping achieve this progress.
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General
SACOSS responds to proposed new anti-protest laws
SACOSS Human Rights Legislation Policy 2023
SACOSS is calling for the introduction of a Human Rights Act for South Australia because every person – no matter their race, abilities, political beliefs, gender identification, sexuality, religion, age or cultural background or other characteristic – should be treated equitably. To acknowledge this is to acknowledge that we all have human rights. And that these are universal, meaning they are for everyone, everywhere, all of the time.
A health system that meets everyone's needs
SACOSS policy proposal - A health system that meets everyone's needs: Policy proposals for public involvement in the South Australian health system
Discussion paper on public involvement in the South Australian health system
SACOSS discussion paper - Public involvement in the South Australian health system
Protecting the Basics: Insurance Report
SACOSS report - Protecting the Basics: Insurance access for people on low incomes at risk from climate emergencies
The Protecting the Basics report finds that there is a significant proportion of people in South Australia on low incomes with uninsured homes, contents, and cars because they can’t afford insurance.
It highlights the potential negative consequences in the face of natural disasters, and proposes several strategies that government could take to increase access to insurance for people on low incomes.
The State of Concessions in South Australia
The South Australian state government provides concessions (discounts and subsidies) for people living on very low incomes and struggling with affordability of essential services. However, this SACOSS report examines a range of state government concessions and a confusing patchwork in need of serious reform. There are inconsistencies in eligibility across the system, and some concessions create poverty premiums or have barriers to accessing support. The report makes 3 overarching recommendations for system reform, and a number of proposals for changes to specific concessions.
Responding to COVID-19: Supporting Vulnerable Populations
The avoidance of medical catastrophe from COVID-19 in South Australia to date has meant that the principle story the COVID-19 pandemic and its health impact on South Australia has been much more one of social and economic impacts than a medically-focused story. However, social and economic impacts have significant consequences for health and wellbeing, prevention and access to health services and information.
Raise The Rate for Good
Raise the Rate for Good
Calling your Member of Parliament - as an organisation
Step 1. Plan what you want to say
Politicians need to hear from local services about the effect of the government’s decision to double income support payments, and how this was the right thing to do.
Make sure to mention:
Budget spend positive, but lacked targeted investment
Recovery spending welcome, but missed investing in most impacted
Paying to Work
Paying to Work: Employment Issues in SACOSS’ Telecommunications Affordability and Waged Poor Households Report, points to the frequent use of personal telecommunications services and devices for work purposes – and subsequently to cost and fairness issues arising from that usage. These issues are particularly important given that, by definition, the workers concerned are living below the poverty line.