CatholicOutlook August 2015
7
Landmark report reveals complex, entrenched disadvantage
Catholic Diocese of Parramatta
New appointments
The Diocesan Administrator,
Very Rev Peter G Williams,
has confirmed the following
appointment:
Rev Fr Romulo Lofranco OFM Conv
Assistant Priest
Our Lady of the Rosary Parish,
Kellyville
Housing Affordability
‘Table Talks’
Wednesday
19 August 2015
Join the Family & Life Office and
Social Justice Office for an evening
of ‘Table Talks’ on the topic of
Affordable Housing.
This event will highlight the moral
and social justice dimensions of
housing affordability.
7pm-8.30pm followed by supper
Institute for Mission (downstairs)
1-5 Marion Street, Blacktown
RSVP
[email protected][email protected]
A small number of communities
across Australia have
disproportionately high levels
of unemployment, low family
income and education, housing
stress, domestic violence and
prison admissions.
This results in severely limited
life opportunities and places
significant social and economic
costs on the broader community,
according to a landmark national
report released last month.
Dropping off the Edge 2015,
produced by Jesuit Social Services
and Catholic Social Services
Australia, maps disadvantage
across the country based on 22
social indicators, including longterm unemployment, criminal
convictions and domestic violence.
The report is authored by Prof
Tony Vinson and Assoc Prof
Margot Rawsthorne from the
University of Sydney. Prof Vinson
authored locational-based studies
in 1999 and 2004 as well as the
ground-breaking 2007 report
Dropping off the Edge.
This report received more
than 284 scholarly citations and
supported the establishment of the
Australian Social Inclusion Board.
Jesuit Social Services CEO
Julie Edwards said the report
showed disadvantage was
entrenched in a small number of
communities across Australia,
most of which have remained
similarly disadvantaged for more
than a decade.
“The ranking of 10 of the 12
most disadvantaged communities
in Victoria has not improved
since the 2007 report, likewise
nine of the 12 most disadvantaged
communities in NSW and eight
of the 12 most disadvantaged
communities in South Australia,”
she said.
“While our social support
structures work for many
Australians, the 2015 report
shows clearly that there are a
small but significant number of
communities that we have failed
and that a new structure and a
new approach is needed.”
Catholic Social Services CEO
Marcelle Mogg said current
policies were not working.
“People can’t overcome structural
disadvantage when all the
odds are stacked against them.
These communities are not
failing – Australia is failing these
communities,” she said.
“Dropping off the Edge 2015
outlines that residents in these
communities aren’t just dealing
with one form of disadvantage
but multiple, complex barriers
to individual wellbeing and
community participation.
The report mapped disadvantage based on 22 social indicators, including
long-term unemployment, criminal convictions and domestic violence.
“What we need now is for
government, the business and
community sectors and the
communities themselves to
develop and implement tailormade, long-term and sustainable
solutions to build better futures.”
In NSW, just 11 postcodes
(1.8% of total) account for 21.4%
of the most disadvantaged rank
positions. Dominant factors in
these postcodes include criminal
convictions, unemployment, no
internet access, domestic violence,
lack of qualifications and young
adults not fully engaged in work
or study.
Dropping off the Edge 2015 was
compiled using data from the
Australian Bureau of Statistics,
NAPLAN, the Australian Early
Development Index and state
and territory government human
services agencies.
The report calls for a new
approach targeted at reducing
the most severe deep-seated
disadvantage, taking into account
the unique characteristics
and circumstances of
each community.
Dropping off the Edge 2015
is supported by an interactive
website that allows users to
view colour-coded maps of five
states and search for a particular
location to see where it ranks on a
range of indicators.
To read the report in full visit:
www.dote.org.au
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