A State of Wellbeing Victorian Budget Submission 2020-21 - VCOSS
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A State of Wellbeing Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
The Victorian Council of Social
Service is the peak body of the social
and community sector in Victoria.
VCOSS members reflect the diversity
of the sector and include large
charities, peak organisations, small
community services, advocacy
groups and individuals interested
in social policy.
In addition to supporting the sector,
VCOSS represents the interests of
Victorians experiencing poverty and
disadvantage, and advocates for the
development of a sustainable, fair
and equitable society.
/vcoss
@vcoss
ChannelVCOSS
vcoss.org.au
Authorised by:
VCOSS CEO Emma King.
Media enquiries:
VCOSS Communications
Manager, Ryan Sheales.
ryan.sheales@vcoss.org.au
Design by Louisa Roubin.
Printed by Indigi-Print.
VCOSS acknowledges the
traditional owners of country and
pays respect to past, present and
emerging Elders. This document
was prepared on the lands of the
Kulin Nation.
A State of Wellbeing
2 Introduction
3 Priority recommendations
4 Equitable and inclusive communities
14 Secure and safe homes
21 A safe and just Victoria
29 Affordable living
38 Victorians in work
45 A strong community services industry
51 Stronger early childhood education
and schools
57 Thriving children and families,
free from violence
62 Healthy Victorians
1
Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
Making
Victoria a state
of wellbeing
Economic prosperity Most importantly, becoming a
alone is no longer a good wellbeing economy would provide
the framework for Victoria to
measure of community measure the success of policies,
wellbeing, if it ever was. and make changes where
Victoria needs a new way necessary.
to conceptualise, pursue Growing Victorians’ sense of
and measure progress. wellbeing will take time. But with
the right policies in place to ensure
We need to proudly and loudly every Victorian gets a great
articulate our overarching social education, has a safe place to call
goals, and match these bold home, works a rewarding job, can
aspirations with concrete targets, afford the basics and has the
timeframes and accountabilities. necessary support to stay healthy,
change is possible.
This will be achieved by Victoria
becoming a wellbeing economy. This document makes the case for
a shift to a wellbeing economy, and
Making this leap would require lists dozens of positive policies that
traditional budget processes and would help Victorians live a better
the machinery of government itself life.
to evolve to put pursuit of
wellbeing at the centre of all Internationally, there is growing
decisions. focus on how to improve
community wellbeing through the
Adopting this wellbeing lens would sustainable growth and distribution
create a framework for of financial, social, human, and
departments and ministers to environmental capital.
make funding bids for programs
that achieve this greater goal. It Victoria is perfectly placed to lead
would allow the government to this conversation here in Australia.
group together otherwise disparate
programs and initiatives.
Emma King VCOSS CEO
2
A State of Wellbeing
Priority recommendations
Shift to a modern Urgently boost funding to Stop stealth funding cuts
wellbeing budget frontline mental health to community organisations
This would deliver a bold and Mental health services can’t Not indexing funding for
overarching framework to wait until after the Royal community organisations
direct investments into key Commission for funding relief. means support is shrinking
areas of government reform, An immediate boost is needed in real terms. We must fix
including housing, early to keep services running this decline, so vulnerable
childhood, justice and properly and supporting Victorians don’t miss out
family violence. Victorians in need over on the care they need.
the coming year.
PAGE 4 PAGE 64 PAGE 45
End the damaging funding Progress self-determination Launch a public and
‘drip-feed’ to service for Aboriginal Victorians community housing
providers Ensure Treaty and moves construction blitz
Multi-year funding deals for towards self-determination Build 6,000 new public and
social service organisations are led by Aboriginal people, community housing properties
will provide financial certainty, and take the remaining each year, on a rolling basis,
allowing them to deliver better practical steps that are so every Victorian has a place
support to more people over necessary to support to live and raise their family.
the long term. these reforms.
PAGE 46 PAGE 7 PAGE 14
Make homes safe and Close service gaps for Continue the pivot to
liveable for low-income people with disability crime prevention
Victorians Buck passing between the Build on recent advances
This involves mandating and NDIS and other systems must to shift Victoria’s justice
enforcing meaningful energy stop. We need to improve approach towards crime
efficiency standards for rental how disability services prevention. This would involve
properties and investing more connect and collaborate with identifying and funding new
money into energy-related health, education, justice, opportunities for offender
home upgrades. housing and out-of-home diversion and restorative
care. justice projects.
PAGE 31 PAGE 7 PAGE 21
Make public education If a young person is in state Support communities to
genuinely affordable care, look after them until confront climate change
Victorians’ first-hand they’re 21 Community organisations are
experience of sending their Keeping Victorians in state on the frontline of climate
kids to a government school care for three more years, change, helping communities
is that a public education until their 21st birthday, will adapt, prepare and weather
isn’t truly free. Make it so. make them more likely to the storm. Give them the
Fund schools to the proper lead a safe, happy, healthy tools and support they need
limit so all hidden costs and fulfilling life. to do the job properly.
can be abolished.
PAGE 52 PAGE 59 PAGE 47
3
Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
Equitable
and inclusive
communities
Victorians are very All Victorians, no matter who they Removing the barriers that prevent
diverse, in cultural are, are entitled to a safe, dignified people fully participating in society,
and fulfilling life. However, many in and adopting an approach that
background, age, gender, our community—including people makes inclusion and wellbeing
sexuality and physical with disability, Aboriginal and everybody’s business, will benefit
and cognitive ability. Torres Strait Islander Victorians, all Victorians.
This diversity should carers, older Victorians and
The Victorian Government can
LGBTIQ people—are subject to
be recognised and do more to strengthen the voices
discrimination and accessibility
of diverse Victorians, and consider
celebrated. challenges that lead to poorer
how every policy decision and
wellbeing, making it harder to
budget allocation will make Victoria
live a good life.
more equitable and inclusive.
Shift to a wellbeing Countries like New Zealand, By adopting a Wellbeing Budget,
Scotland and Iceland are rising Victoria would continue to lead
budget
to this challenge by becoming the nation in social policy.
Declare a ‘wellbeing economy’, wellbeing economies. Under this
We would have a bold and
and begin planning for our model, all branches of government
overarching framework to direct
are responsible for improving
first Wellbeing Budget. investments in housing, early
community wellbeing through
childhood, justice and family
budget priorities, policy-making
Prosperous societies have violence, underpinning key areas
and reporting.
more than good balance sheets; of ongoing government reform.
they have vibrant and liveable This year New Zealand delivered
To help guide this decision-making
communities, they champion its first Wellbeing Budget, requiring
and monitor progress,
dignity and fairness, and they all new spending to advance one
comprehensive data collection
have healthy and happy citizens. of five wellbeing priorities, including
and analysis would also be
improving mental health, reducing
Fostering community wellbeing necessary.
child poverty and combatting
is a core responsibility for all
Indigenous disadvantage. Ministers
governments, from the basic
must demonstrate the wellbeing
needs for food, housing and
impacts of budget proposals, and
safety to civic engagement and
explain any trade-offs between
participation in democracy.
environmental, social, human
and financial capital.
4
A State of Wellbeing
5
Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
Ivy
Equitable Four-year-old Ivy Atwell has a rare, life-limiting genetic condition and is
and inclusive profoundly disabled. With no voluntary movement, Ivy has outgrown baby
communities change tables and now needs a fully accessible bathroom.
Programs like Changing Places, which upgrade bathroom infrastructure
in public spaces, have proven to be a game changer.
“Changing Places help keep our family connected with the community
through the confidence of knowing Ivy can go to the bathroom with dignity,”
according to her dad, Glen.
“Every person should be able to travel around their community safely
and with ease.”
“Changing Places are no longer seen as an ‘optional extra’ but
necessary facilities to ensure people with severe disabilities,
and their carers, remain socially engaged,” he says.
6
A State of Wellbeing
Progress No wrong doors for prisons, or aged care facilities
due to NDIS planning or
self-determination Victorians with a
decision-making issues or a lack of
for Aboriginal disability appropriate services. As of July 2019,
Victorians 80 Victorian patients with disability
Agree with the Commonwealth
were stuck in hospital for more
Ensure Treaty and on ‘provider of last resort’ than three months after they were
self-determination are arrangements. ready for discharge because of
led by Aboriginal people. NDIS-related or service delays.
Build interface capacity between
Unclear processes and planning
state-based systems and the NDIS.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait can also contribute to delays to
Islander people have the longest discharge or release from prison.
The transition from the old Women and children with disability
surviving continuous culture in the
state-based system of disability may also be unable to escape family
world, and possess a proud and
support to the National Disability violence without access to specialised,
rich history and identity.
Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is almost accessible crisis supports.
VCOSS believes the best complete. VCOSS continues to
outcomes for Aboriginal people In addition, the ‘provider of last resort’
support this landmark social policy
will come when policies and function traditionally undertaken
reform, which reorients disability
programs are shaped and led by the Victorian Government has
support from an ‘old welfare’ model
by the expertise of Aboriginal become disputed and unclear.
of rationed support to a rights-based
communities. Without appropriate and responsive
social insurance scheme.
crisis and provider of last resort
By championing Aboriginal However, the scheme is yet to arrangements, vulnerable Victorians
ways of knowing, being and doing, deliver on its full promise, and as will be unable to access timely
Victoria can support Aboriginal service and funding gaps continue support and may be forced to stay
people to overcome the health to emerge or grow, people with in inappropriate or unsafe settings.
and wellbeing inequities that have disability experiencing disadvantage
been created by dispossession, During this time of significant system
and isolation are almost always
marginalisation and discrimination, disruption, service gaps have also
the first to fall through the cracks.
and compounded by the top-down emerged for Victorians with disability
policy approaches of the past. The complexity, scale and pace who are not eligible for individual
of the NDIS has disrupted how NDIS funding and rely on ‘universal’
Self-determination is essential. disability services connect and government systems, such as
Closing the gap will require collaborate with mainstream health, to meet their needs.
a shift in power and control services, in particular, state-based
away from government and We recognise recent investments
systems such as health, education,
mainstream organisations towards towards an NDIS Transition Support
justice, housing, child protection
community-owned solutions. Package for community mental
and out-of-home care.
health services for people with
The Victorian Government’s In theory, the interface between psychosocial disability, and
commitment to Treaty is significant NDIS and mainstream service acknowledge the Victorian
and historic. But Aboriginal people systems is supported by Coalition Government as a strong advocate
have been let down by governments of Australian Governments (COAG) at COAG through the Disability
too many times to count. The
principles, bilateral agreements Reform Council. However, more
Treaty-making process must
and state-based practice work is required to build interface
deeply respect the cultures,
guidelines. However, on the ground, capability and capacity across and
traditions and structures of
the lack of clarity, coordination and within state-based, state-funded
Aboriginal communities.
services, and the increase of plain systems and with the NDIS.
and simple buck passing, means
A refreshed National Disability
people with the most complex
Strategy, underpinned by the
needs are being caught short.
State Disability Plan, is desperately
For example, there are many needed to ensure there is no wrong
Victorians who are eligible for the door for any Victorian with disability
NDIS, or are likely to be eligible, seeking the supports they need to
who are marooned in hospitals, live an ‘ordinary life’.
7
Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
Recurrent, expanded advocacy Strengthen gender
Equitable funding would help organisations
equity
and inclusive plan for the future and reach more
communities Victorians with disability, including Immediately increase funding
those in marginalised communities to the women’s health and
and those who have previously gender equity sector.
missed out on advocacy. With
every $1 invested in disability Tie future funding to population
advocacy proven to save
Provide adequate growth.
taxpayers $3.50,4 it also makes
funding for disability compelling economic sense.
Gender discrimination and
advocacy inequality is a serious challenge
Free disability advocacy
End stigma and facing Victoria. Women earn
organisations from the discrimination against roughly 15 per cent less than
their male colleagues and retire
rollercoaster ride of LGBTIQ Victorians
with barely half as much in
short-term funding.
Increase focus on LGBTIQ superannuation, and they are
Boost core funding to help inclusion. over-represented in part-time,
disability advocacy organisations insecure and low-paid jobs.
Provide ongoing funding Damaging gender stereotypes
meet demand.
to LGBTIQ programs. also persist in the media and the
community, warping notions of
Disability advocates promote,
how women should look and act.12
protect and defend the human Victoria has a proud track record
rights of people with disability. celebrating, supporting and Gender equality benefits
Disability advocacy is an important empowering LGBTIQ people, everyone: it makes people safer by
safeguard to help prevent, report including support for Safe Schools,5 preventing violence against women
and respond to abuse.1 the creation of a high-level LGBTIQ and girls, encourages economic
Taskforce,6 establishing a Victorian growth by engaging more people
But the most important funding
Pride Centre and allowing trans in the workforce, and promotes
sources for this critical sector—
and gender diverse people dignity, respect and fairness.
boosted core funding and
to easily affirm their sex on their
short-term grants provided The Victorian Government has
birth certificate.7
through the Victorian Disability recognised this and is pursuing
Advocacy Futures Plan2 and Despite this, LGBTIQ people gender equity through Safe and
related Commonwealth funding— are still more likely to experience Strong: A Victorian Gender Equality
both run out in June 2020. mental ill-health, engage in Strategy.
self-harm, and consider and
Advocacy organisations can’t do But at the same time, women’s
attempt suicide.8
their job properly while paralysed health and gender equity services
by short-term funding cycles and The Victorian Government can have experienced a funding cut
preparing for the next funding cliff. further boost the health and social in real terms since 2011.13 This
The current funding uncertainty outcomes of LGBTIQ people by is compromising their capacity to
has coincided with an increase adopting an increased focus on deliver programs related to gender
in demand and in complexity of inclusion and recognition.9 Such equity, sexual and reproductive
cases, as a result of the NDIS an approach would include making health, and the prevention of
and other changes to disability public spaces more inclusive,10 violence against women.
services.3 Regional and rural considering intersectionality in
Ensuring funding growth can keep
disability advocacy services are all government services and
pace with population would help
particularly affected. providing secure and ongoing
the Government achieve its vision
funding to LGBTIQ programs
The advocacy sector requires of a gender equitable state.
so they can continue to deliver
increased investment to respond to
essential services.11
demand pressures associated with
both the NDIS and its mainstream
interfaces.
8A State of Wellbeing
Tackle loneliness Neighbourhood Houses are Governments can support
another initiative helping people place-based responses to
among Victorians
engage and connect with building community wellbeing
Develop and resource a strategy communities. They enable people by providing local communities
to reduce loneliness among of all abilities, backgrounds and with ‘backbone funding’ for
at-risk Victorians. ages to connect, learn and share in management, coordination
an inclusive environment. This is a and governance and to develop
cost-effective way of combatting and deliver initiatives.
Loneliness might not sound like
loneliness and social isolation,
a serious threat, but research
has shown that social isolation
improving people’s wellbeing and Give people with
reducing their reliance on acute
and loneliness impede people’s
health services.
disability dignity
physical and mental health, and
can actually pose a bigger risk to Build more public changing
people’s wellbeing than smoking Deliver local, facilities.
or air pollution.14 place-based solutions
Loneliness is unique to each Every person should be able to
Establish a social innovation access a public bathroom that is
individual. It can be triggered by
fund to support place-based accessible and fit for purpose.
a life event like moving house or
losing a partner. Or it can be a
solutions. However, there are only 36
life-long experience, extending assisted change facilities for adults
Provide communities with
into people’s senior years. with a disability in Victoria, despite
‘backbone funding’ to manage
Because of this diversity there recent government investments
and deliver initiatives.
is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ program in this space. More ‘Changing
that can combat loneliness. Places’ facilities need to be built.
Poverty and disadvantage are
VicHealth found one in eight Fully accessible and inclusive
concentrated geographically.
people aged 16–25 reported universal design practices
This means that Victorians living
a very high intensity of loneliness.15 should also be embedded in the
in some areas are much more
Similarly, WA research shows development of all new public
|likely than others to get trapped
seven per cent of seniors report spaces, to provide greater
in cycles of entrenched and
severe loneliness, with higher inclusion and ensure all Victorians
intergenerational poverty.17
levels reported by single people, can access our public spaces with
those living alone, and people Complex issues like entrenched dignity and ease.
with poor health.16 disadvantage need solutions that
empower communities. Effective
The most effective way to relieve
place-based approaches bring
loneliness is to help people feel
together community members,
connected to a community.
empowering local people to
Communities don’t need to be
develop and drive their own
united by geography—they might
innovative solutions over the
be online (for example, for LGBTIQ
long term. They help build stronger
young people), or united by shared
communities that are equipped to
interests or hobbies.
help people get jobs and overcome
Men’s Sheds are a well-known disadvantage.
community initiative that tackles
Communities have their own
loneliness, focusing on men who
unique profiles, strengths and
are no longer in paid employment,
weaknesses. What works in one
whether because of retirement,
place will not necessarily work
redundancy, health issues or other
reasons. Men’s Sheds participants in others. To be successful,
build and repair things for the place-based responses need to
community, but the benefit for build on existing collaborations
participants is coming together and community resources, and
to build relationships and find be flexible and adaptable enough
meaningful purpose. to suit local circumstances.
9Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
Equitable
and inclusive
communities
Further
strategies
Support people with lived
experience and peak bodies to
engage in reform processes.
People with lived experience— A national community attitudes accessible cross-cultural and
including of poverty, disability, survey supported by the Victorian trauma-focussed training. It can
family violence or homelessness— Government was undertaken in also improve access to services
have insights essential for 2018,19 looking at attitudes that by providing information about
successful system design impact the social and economic them in a range of languages, and
and service delivery. Similarly, participation of people with disability. providing access to interpreters
organisations that are governed Collecting this data was a positive and translators, including Auslan.
by people with relevant lived first step towards the development
experience—like LGBTIQ groups, of more inclusive attitudes. The Adopt a gender lens in budget
disability organisations and Victorian Government can now and policy-making.
consumer-led services—help invest in targeted work to promote The Victorian Government can
ensure policy reform and service inclusion, such as campaigns to help overcome the inequalities
design are genuinely suited to raise community awareness and experienced by women by
people’s needs. counteract negative stereotypes. embracing gender impact
Large reform processes, including assessment, gender budgeting
Build a more inclusive and gender auditing.
Royal Commissions, must value
community services workforce.
the input of people with lived Adopting such a gender lens
experience to inform them People need health and
would allow the Government to
(including by paying for their time). community services to work
be more attuned to how policies
Peak and representative bodies in a responsive, safe and flexible
and programs affect women,
need additional resources to manner. A workforce that is
and therefore to reduce gender
increase their capacity to representative of the community
inequality, combat harmful gender
participate in policy reform. it serves (e.g., in terms of culture,
stereotypes and empower women.
disability, language and sexual
Launch a campaign to improve orientation) will be better equipped This could be accompanied by the
to understand and respond to production of an annual Victorian
community attitudes towards
people’s needs. Gender Equity Report, which
people with disability.
would track the impact of Victoria’s
Community attitudes are a critical Workforce diversity is crucial
gender equity and violence
factor in disability inclusion. to ensuring that services are
prevention investments over time.
Negative attitudes can lead to provided in the most appropriate
significant barriers in a range of and safe way. The Government
areas including health, education can provide community service
and employment.18 organisations with affordable and
10A State of Wellbeing
Combat elder abuse. For example, the Marram Nganyin Ongoing commitment is needed
Research shows that about one program supports the development to monitor the implementation of
in six older people experience of Aboriginal youth mentoring the Strategy, set clear timelines,
abuse.20 Victoria needs a across Victoria. However, the and engage carers themselves
whole-of-government strategy program received just one year in decision-making.
to respond to this scourge and funding in the 2019–20 budget.
improve older people’s wellbeing Further support is required so
and inclusion in the community. programs like Marram Nganyin
can help more Aboriginal children
This strategy could include
and young people to reach their
ongoing support for local elder
potential.
abuse prevention networks,
funding training so frontline staff
Implement the Victorian carer
can detect and respond to abuse,
strategy.
and investing in specialist services.
It would need to be designed in One in eight Victorians is an unpaid
a genuine partnership with older family or friend carer.23 Carers
people and their advocacy report many positive aspects of
organisations, and recognise their role, like companionship,
both the damaging impact of satisfaction and fulfilment; but it
ageism and the importance can also take a toll. Carers are at
of intersectionality.21,22 risk of poor mental health, and of
financial drains that can make it
Provide Aboriginal young people a struggle to make ends meet.24
with mentoring opportunities. In July 2018, the Victorian
Aboriginal children and young Government launched Victoria’s
people are best supported by first whole-of-government strategy
culturally appropriate services built in this space, the Carer Strategy
on Aboriginal definitions of identity 2018–22. The Strategy sets out
and wellbeing. Mentoring programs ways to recognise and support
can provide this kind of support, as carers, to improve their health,
well as opportunities to build role wellbeing and ability to participate
models, strengthen cultural health in school or work.
and connect people together.
11Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
10 For example, see YMCA Victoria, 20 COTA Victoria, Victorian State
I saw the sign: Gender neutral toilets Election Platform, 2018, p.12
Equitable
about more than just signage, http://
21 Australian Law Reform Commission,
and inclusive victoria.ymca.org.au/news-events/
Elder Abuse: A National Legal
communities news/i-saw-the-sign-gender-neutral-
Response, June 2017
toilets-about-more-than-just-
signage.html, accessed 25 22 COTA Victoria, Victorian State
October 2019 Election Platform, 2018
11 L Barber, ‘Victorian Government 23 Department of Health and Human
awards switchboard $80,000 grant Services, Recognising and
1 VCOSS, Submission to the Victorian
to support LGBTI seniors’, Star supporting Victoria’s carers:
Parliament’s Inquiry into Abuse in
Observer, April 12, 2019 Victorian carer strategy 2018–2022,
Disability Services: Stage 2,
June 2018
November 2015 12 Gender Equity Victoria, Gender
equity statistics, https://www.genvic. 24 T Hill, C Thomson, B Cass,
2 Victorian Government, Victorian
org.au/resources/gender-equity- The costs of caring and the living
Disability Advocacy Futures Plan
statistics, accessed 25 October standards of carers, Department
2018–20, 2018
2019 of Families, Housing, Community
3 DARU, Disability Advocacy by the Services and Indigenous Affairs,
13 Gender Equity Victoria, Victorian
Numbers: Statistics from July 2012 2011
Gender Equity Investment 20/21
to June 2016 from the Victorian
State Budget Submission, 2019
Office for Disability Advocacy
(unpublished)
Program Quarterly Data Collection,
July 2017 14 VicHealth, Loneliness: a new public
health challenge emerges, https://
4 A Daly, G Barrett, R Williams,
www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/letter/
A Cost Benefit Analysis of Australian
articles/vh-letter-47-loneliness,
independent disability advocacy
accessed 25 October 2019
agencies, the Disability Advocacy
Network Australia, September 2017 15 VicHealth, Community survey of
(the government savings figure is young Victorians’ resilience and
based on the estimated savings that mental wellbeing, December 2015
could be made in education, health,
16 Commissioner for Senior
justice and other government
Victorians, Ageing is everyone’s
services)
business: a report on isolation and
5 G Alcorn, ‘From safe injecting to Safe loneliness among senior Victorians,
Schools: Victoria’s social reform at January 2016
stake’, The Guardian, 15 Nov 2018
17 T Vinson and M Rawsthorne,
6 Victorian Government, LGBTIQ Dropping off the Edge 2015:
Taskforce Persistent communal disadvantage
in Australia, Jesuit Social Services
7 SF Koob, ‘‘Momentous night’:
and Catholic Social Services
Victorian birth certificate reform
Australia, 2015
passed’, The Age, 28 August 2019
18 D Thompson, K Fisher, C Purcal,
8 The National LGBTI Health Alliance,
C Deeming, P Sawrikar, Community
The statistics at a glance: the mental
attitudes to people with disability:
health of lesbian, gay, bisexual,
scoping project, Social Policy
transgender and intersex people
Research Centre, University of New
in Australia, July 2016
South Wales, for the Commonwealth
9 The National LGBTI Health Alliance, of Australia, 2011
ibid; ACON, ‘The impacts of marriage
19 Centre of Research Excellence in
equality and marriage denial on the
Disability and Health, Community
health of lesbian, gay and bisexual
Attitudes towards People with
people’, September 2016
Disability survey, https://credh.org.
au/projects/current-projects/
community-attitudes-towards-
people-with-disability, Accessed
14 October 2019
12A State of Wellbeing
All Victorians, no matter who they are,
are entitled to a safe, dignified and fulfilling life.
The Victorian Government can do more to strengthen
the voices of diverse Victorians, and consider how
every policy decision and budget allocation will make
Victoria more equitable and inclusive.
13Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
Secure and
safe homes
Having a safe place to call But for many Victorians, this basic Building more houses, integrating
home is the foundation of human right is out of reach. Nearly health and social services with
25,000 Victorians are homeless on housing, preventing evictions and
wellbeing. A secure and any given night. And rising rents, making renting fair will underpin all
safe home is more than an unaffordable property market other progress towards providing
shelter; it’s a place to stay and a vast housing waiting list are a good life for all Victorians.
warm, clean, healthy and pushing more people to the brink
of homelessness.
well. It’s the enabler of a
good life for people in all
walks of life.
Launch a sustained Without enough public and Three hundred of these new homes
community housing, Victorians should be for Aboriginal Victorians,
public and community
who need it might be struggling to who are experiencing the fastest
housing construction maintain private rental growth of homelessness in the
blitz accommodation, paying more rent nation.28 Roughly 10 per cent
than they can afford, going without of homelessness services are
Build 6,000 new public and essentials for daily life, or Aboriginal services, despite
community housing properties languishing on the edge of Aboriginal people making up only
each year. homelessness. 0.8 per cent of the Victorian
population.29
That’s why Victoria needs a
In 2019, the Victorian Government sustained public and community The new housing should be well
followed through with a housing blitz to meet the demands located, and the construction mix
commitment to address the state’s of our growing population and should address the current
chronic shortage of public and provide quality, affordable homes mismatch in supply and demand.
community housing by building for all. For example, both women needing
1,000 new properties over four a one-bedroom home and larger
years. At least 6,000 new public and
families needing multiple bedrooms
community houses should be built
But more than 82,000 Victorians are currently missing out because
each year for the next 10 years.
remain on the wait list for public these kinds of homes aren’t
We need this much to keep pace
and community housing,25 and this available.
with population growth, to house
figure is tipped to hit 100,000 by Victorians on the wait list and This entrenched problem needs a
mid-2020. Public and community those living in extreme housing sustained solution. Acting now will
housing currently makes up just stress.27 prevent worsening the housing
3.2 per cent of all housing in crisis currently facing the Victorian
Victoria, well below the national community and the Victorian
average of 4.5 per cent.26 Government.
14A State of Wellbeing
15Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
Vanessa
Secure and Vanessa Robinson’s young sons were killed in 2010 when a faulty gas heater
began leaking poisonous gas into the family’s rented Mooroopna home.
safe homes
Ms Robinson—who now runs the Chase and Tyler Foundation in her sons’
honour—says all rental homes must be safe and liveable.
She says new regulations currently being finalised that will require rental
properties to meet a minimum safety standard must be clear and tough.
“We want to make sure that when we go home to our families and to
our loved ones, that nothing terrible is going to happen.”
“Renting out your property is essentially a business. And in business
we have basic OH&S that we have to adhere to. Why is it not like that
in a rental property?”
16A State of Wellbeing
Tackle homelessness by Join the dots between Deliver strong rental
stopping unnecessary housing and mental law changes to protect
evictions health tenants’ rights
Increase eligibility for services Integrate housing and mental Keep working with the
designed to keep people in health support services. community sector on the fine
their homes. detail of rental reform.
Create a safety net between
prison release and mental health Launch a communications
The best way to prevent more
treatment, and homelessness. campaign explaining the new
Victorians from becoming homeless
laws, specifically to CALD,
is to support people to keep the
More than a quarter of the adults elderly and other vulnerable
housing they already have.
and young people who use communities.
Victoria doesn’t have many private Victoria’s homelessness services
rental properties that are available are also living with a mental health The Victorian Government has
and affordable for people on fixed or issue.26 The two problems are made historic changes to rental
low incomes. People are therefore inexorably linked. laws. They come at a time when
forced to make tough decisions to
The Royal Commission into the unaffordable housing market
secure a property and pay the rent.
Victoria’s Mental Health System means more people, including
Budgets are stretched to breaking has been described as a families and older people, are
point, leaving very little wiggle room once-in-a-generation opportunity renting, and renting for longer.
if something goes wrong. At times, for improvement. But the Royal In broad terms, the changes
these tenants need a bit of help to Commission will be unable to abolish unfair ‘no specified reason’
stay in their homes, or face the deliver on this promise unless evictions, make it easier for people
prospect of homelessness. Victoria’s critical shortage of to make minor modifications or
The Victorian Government can housing is addressed. have pets, and put a cap on rent
support people as soon as they A home is the foundation for increases.
are at risk, by investing more in a healthy life, including mental But the detailed work to give force
homelessness prevention services. wellbeing. It plays a key role across to the new laws, and ensure they
This might mean legal assistance to the continuum of mental illness deliver real changes for Victorian
fight an eviction notice or assist with prevention, early intervention, tenants, is ongoing.
negotiating a rental payment plan, response and recovery.
financial support to manage rent in The regulations need to explicitly
Victoria should scale-up models that
arrears, or drug, alcohol or mental define the types of modifications
integrate housing and responsive
health assistance at a service close allowed, the information that must
mental healthcare and support,
to home. be disclosed to tenants and the
across both the private rental
evidence required for legal eviction.
Numerous services already exist, market and public and community
To exercise their new rights,
like Tenancy Plus and the Tenant housing. These models should
tenants must also be well
Assistance and Advocacy Program. reflect best practice operation and
educated about the changes.
But access to them depends on embrace ‘housing first’, step up/
what kind of housing you are in, step down and multidisciplinary The Victorian Government has
where that housing is, whether you service-based approaches. already been working closely
can get to a service and how risky with the community sector to
To break the cycle of homelessness
your situation is. draft the required regulations.
and mental illness, more also needs
When the regulations are finalised,
Once people are homeless it is much to be done to secure housing for
there must be a well-designed
more difficult for them to get the people leaving mental health
communication campaign about
support they need. Victoria must inpatient facilities and prisons—
people’s rights under the new laws,
modernise the state’s fragmented including child prisons—so they
that targets information at diverse
housing system so it can help don’t exit into homelessness.
and vulnerable communities,
people before they’re at the pointy These investments will ensure the including people with disability
end of the homelessness crisis. Royal Commission can deliver on and older people.
its promise of better mental health
outcomes for Victorians.
17Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
Champion accessible housing Switch to a broad-based land tax.
standards. Stamp duties encourage property
Secure and
Our housing standards are not speculation, dampen economic
safe homes activity, fall heavily on young buyers
suitable for many people with
disability, older people and other and discourage people moving to
diverse community needs. Only better homes or new jobs. They
five per cent of Australian homes also leave the Victorian Treasury
are fully accessible. Simple hostage to the volatile housing
Further changes to the building code, such
a requiring adequate door widths
market. We can develop a more
stable, efficient and fair system
strategies and step-less shower recesses,
would make homes more liveable
by progressively replacing stamp
duties with a broad-based land
for people with different needs. tax. This should occur with
The Victorian Government can appropriate concessions,
help provide accessible homes exemptions and deferrals.
by supporting the incorporation
of accessibility standards in the
Mandate inclusionary zoning.
National Construction Code. 25 Parliament of Victoria, Inquiry into
The Victorian Government can the Public Housing Renewal
accelerate the increase of public Invest in emergency housing Program (Final Report), June 2018
and community housing by options. 26 Department of Health and Human
encouraging the private sector to Services, Housing Assistance:
More public and community Additional Service Delivery Data
play its part. ‘Inclusionary zoning’
housing is the key to addressing 2018–19, September 2019
requires developers to include
homelessness, but until the 27 T Burke, Quantifying the shortfall of
public and community housing
shortfall is plugged, more emergency social and affordable housing, CHIA
among new apartments.
and crisis accommodation is Vic, 2016
Victoria builds about 30,000 new needed. Family violence services 28 N Khalidi, Aboriginal Population and
apartments every year. Making report they are increasingly being Households Projections, 2016–2036,
sure a percentage of these are forced to accommodate vulnerable Victoria, Aboriginal Housing Victoria,
public housing would provide June 2019
women and children escaping
many more Victorians with a home, family violence in motels. Other 29 Australian Institute of Health and
and help shorten public housing Welfare, Specialist Homelessness
people are turned away from
Services 2017–18: Victoria,
waiting lists. emergency housing providers, or September 2019
accommodated in rooming houses
Make public housing energy 30 Australian Institute of Health and
or other unsuitable options. Welfare, Specialist Homelessness
efficient and healthy.
People who do find emergency Services Collection 2016–17, 2018.
Many vulnerable Victorians housing are staying longer than
live in poorly insulated public anticipated, because there are
housing properties, with inefficient no longer-term options available.
appliances and limited ability to The Victorian Government can
stay warm or cool in winter or help those in crisis by funding
summer. To provide the energy more flexible emergency
efficient public housing that accommodation.
Victorians need, existing programs
that upgrade the energy efficiency
of public housing can be
expanded, including the Energy
Smart Public Housing Project.
18A State of Wellbeing
Simple changes to the building code, such a
requiring adequate door widths and step-less
shower recesses, would make homes more
liveable for people with different needs.
19Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21 20
A State of Wellbeing
A safe and
just Victoria
A just legal system Victoria’s prison population keeps Instead, contact with the system
growing—it increased seven per causes harm and consequences
treats everyone fairly,
cent in 2018 alone. The cost to the disproportionate to the nature of
and upholds basic human budget now exceeds $1 billion,31 the offence, entrenching criminality
rights. It is time to reorient but all this money spent locking and leading to a vicious cycle that
our justice system away people up doesn’t reduce crime or benefits no one.
make communities safer. We need
from costly punitive By focusing on strong local
to change our response to legal
approaches and towards communities, early resolution
need and offending behaviour.
of problems and supporting
prevention of crime We need evidence-based, targeted
the health and wellbeing of
and early resolution local solutions that work.
people returning from prison,
of legal problems. For many people, encountering the Government can help
the criminal justice system does make Victoria safer and fairer
not deter them from further crime. for everyone.
Pivot to crime The Victorian Government recently crime has been committed there’s
launched a Crime Prevention usually harm caused to people,
prevention
Taskforce and there is bipartisan relationships and community.
Reorient the focus of justice support for including rehabilitation Restorative justice focuses on
policy towards crime prevention. in the purposes of the Corrections repairing this harm.
Act.32 These first green shoots of
It brings together the offender and
Identify opportunities for reform provide an opportunity for
the victims to acknowledge the
diversion and restorative justice. a fresh approach to law and order
harm, consider how best to repair
that prioritises preventing crime.
it, and prevent similar harm in the
Preventing crimes before they We can do more to divert people future. This process is often
occur benefits everyone. It keeps from entering the justice system transformative, creating fundamental
the community safer, avoids costly in the first place, through investing changes for individuals, relationships
prison sentences and reduces in community-based drug and and communities. More than
the negative on-going effects of alcohol, mental health, housing 80 per cent of young people who
imprisonment on people’s health and education support programs. participated in a Jesuit Social Services
and wellbeing. Crime prevention programs that restorative justice programs in
target children and young people Melbourne had not reoffended two
People who commit crimes are
experiencing problems at school years later, compared to 57 per cent
more likely to live in poverty, be
and at home, or who have used of the comparison group.34
unemployed and have experienced
alcohol or drugs, can set them on
trauma, neglect and victimisation. The Victorian Government has
a different path, away from the
Addressing crime means working the opportunity to reframe our
justice system.33
with high-risk communities to criminal justice system, towards
identify local, place-based solutions We can also do more to address evidence-based programs that work
to the economic and social factors and repair the damage done when to prevent crime, tackle its causes,
that drive people to offend. crimes are committed. Restorative address harm and build connections
justice recognises that when a to family, community and culture.
21Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
to imprison young people can The money allocated to a new
entrench offending behaviour for child prison in Melbourne’s
A safe and life. Instead of funneling children west would be better spent on
just Victoria into a punitive system, the intensive, therapeutic community
Victorian Government should interventions. However, recent
support children to thrive in decisions to scale-down the new
the community. Cherry Creek detention facility
and retain Parkville Youth Justice
Children under 14 should be
Centre for young women and the
Keep kids at a safe in school, not prison. Yet in
youngest boys is a step in the
distance from the Victoria, children as young as
right direction.
10 can be charged with crimes
criminal justice and sentenced to jail time. This The Government could keep the
system is despite all the evidence that community safer by funding and
children aren’t just mini adults. expanding innovative programs
Raise the age of criminal Developmentally, children are that divert young people away from
responsibility to 14 years. very different to adults. They the prison system, from their first
Expand programs designed to do not reflect on their actions interaction with police through
or understand long-term to ongoing support.
divert young people away from
consequences in the same way.
the criminal justice system. Diversion programs give young
The Sentencing Advisory Council people the support they need to
Close child prisons over the estimates that if children are grow out of offending and turn their
long term. arrested before they are 14, lives around. They give first-time
they are three times more likely or low-level offenders the chance
Sending children to prison should to continue to become involved to avoid a criminal conviction
only be an option of absolute in crime throughout their life.36 through activities that help them
last resort. By raising the age of criminal to understand the reasons they
responsibility to 14 years old, and offend and encourage them to
When young people get sent to
introducing more age-appropriate take a different path.
prison, the root cause is commonly
interventions for those young
a major problem in their own life:
children who do offend, the
trauma, abuse, illness, or trouble at
Victorian Government can build
home or school.35 Being too quick
stronger and safer communities.
The Government could keep the community safer
by funding and expanding innovative programs
that divert young people away from the prison
system, from their first interaction with police
through to ongoing support.
22A State of Wellbeing
Provide legal Victoria’s community legal Community-justice partnerships
services work primarily with people also play a critical role, providing
assistance early so
experiencing complex forms of integrated community, health
problems don’t disadvantage. Youthlaw reports and legal support. There are
escalate that 80 per cent of the young opportunities to expand
people they help have a mental community-justice partnerships,
Boost funding to community illness. Similarly, 84 per cent of the including with youth services,
legal centres, and provide women accessing the Women’s homelessness and family
dependable funding for Homelessness Prevention Program violence services. However, many
‘community-justice partnerships’, have a mental illness.37 successful community-justice
so all Victorians can benefit partnerships receive only seed
So-called ‘tough on crime’ policies
from free, timely and accessible funding or one-year contracts,
have increased demand for legal
legal assistance. making it difficult to recruit and
assistance, especially among
retain quality staff, and plan for
groups subject to racial profiling
The Victorian Government the future.
and inequitable justice outcomes,
can stop people’s legal issues like Aboriginal and Torres Strait
escalating to full-blown crises by Islander communities and people
ensuring all Victorians can access of colour. Some legal centres have
free community legal assistance been forced to ration services
when they need it. and apply strict eligibility criteria.
For example, if a person is facing The Victorian Government can
eviction and possible homelessness, help people resolve their legal
a lawyer could help them strike problems quickly, and prevent
a new payment plan or fight an them escalating, by providing
unjust eviction. Or a community community legal centres with
lawyer could help a person facing more funding to meet demand.
financial stress to reduce
outstanding toll fines or wipe
an unfair payday loan debt.
23Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
Change the way we Infringement matters that still
proceed to the Magistrates Court
A safe and approach fines and
and involve people experiencing
just Victoria infringements mental illness, homelessness,
family violence or addiction should
Make toll companies chase their
continue to be dealt with by the
own debts in the civil system.
Special Circumstances List.
Retain the Magistrates Court The Special Circumstances List
allows for cases to be heard in a
Stop releasing people Special Circumstances List.
therapeutic setting, by a Magistrate
from prison into Expand the Work and with understanding of the
homelessness Development Permit Scheme. complexities of people’s lives.
For people with significant fine
Make well-funded, long-term
Fines and infringements are debt, the Work and Development
transition support available
disproportionately issued to Permit Scheme helps them pay
to all people leaving prison. people experiencing mental illness, off fines by participating in work,
homelessness and family violence, training, medical treatment or
Allowing a person to leave prison and are felt most acutely by people counselling. But there are more
without a place to live sets them on low incomes. They push people people who need the scheme than
up for failure. They are more likely into a cycle of debt and criminal organisations who can deliver it.
to fall straight into poverty, drift enforcement, and condemn whole The Victorian Government can help
into homelessness, use drugs families to a life of poverty. more Victorians reduce their debts
and commit crimes.38 Under this by better promoting the scheme
Pursuing toll fees in criminal
scenario people are unlikely to be and encouraging more community
courts turns a private debt into a
able to engage with education and and medical services to become
crime, and transfers money owed
employment, quickly leading into sponsors.
to private operators into a debt to
a vicious cycle.
the Victorian Government, inflated
The problem arises because many times over by ‘additional
existing discharge planning is fees’. Despite welcome action by
inadequate, and transition support some toll operators to introduce
programs are over-subscribed hardship policies, there are still too
and provide assistance for only many debt cases clogging up the
a few months. courts. The Victorian Government
Long-term transition support should immediately shift toll fee
programs—which begin engaging enforcement to the civil system.
with people inside prison and
continue after they’re released—
would improve people’s quality
of life and prevent reoffending.
Almost all Victorian prison
inmates will eventually return to
the community. About one-third of
people in prison have a sentence
of less than two years. The
Victorian Government could
cut recidivism and make the
community safer by guaranteeing
no person will be released from
prison into homelessness.
24A State of Wellbeing
Atrium Program
Atrium is a partnership between several Victorian community
service organisations. Based at the Melbourne Magistrates Court,
it works alongside the Court Integrated Support Program to
provide wrap-around housing and support options to people
who are homeless and on remand but seeking bail. It is designed
to provide safe and supported accommodation, break the cycle
of criminal justice and homelessness and lay the foundations
for fulfilling and independent living.
Reduce barriers This reform was meant to prevent Instead of locking vulnerable
a small number of offenders from people up, the Victorian
to bail
committing more crimes while on Government can properly
Reform bail laws to make sure bail. But now remand is being used resource bail programs. More bail
people are not being remanded as a crime prevention measure. accommodation will keep people
who have not been sentenced,
due to homelessness. Strict reforms to bail laws
and who are not a risk to the
have led to some people being
Increase bail accommodation community, out of prison and
imprisoned simply because they
and support options. with their children and families.
don’t have a secure home. For
most offences, there is now a
Victoria’s prison population is presumption against bail.
growing at an unprecedented rate.
Restricting bail doesn’t reduce
A key driver of this is more people
reoffending or protect the
in prison who are denied bail and
community. When a person
remanded in custody.39 In 2019,
offends and is remanded in
more than a third of people in
custody, they do not have access
prison were on remand, and
to rehabilitation programs and
had not been sentenced for
supports, and they are separated
an offence.40 This problem is
from their natural supports in
gendered: almost half of the
the community.
women in Victoria’s prisons are
there on remand.
More bail accommodation will keep people
who have not been sentenced, and are not a risk
to the community, out of prison and with their
children and families.
25Victorian Budget Submission 2020–21
Strengthen the Charter 36 Sentencing Advisory Council,
of Human Rights. Reoffending by Children and Young
A safe and People in Victoria, December 2016
Victoria’s Charter of Human
just Victoria 37 Federation of Community Legal
Rights does not formally protect
Centres, Home Connection and
economic and social rights— Healing: Pathways to Mental
including the rights to health, Wellness: Our submission to the
housing or education—or the right Royal Commission into Victoria’s
to Aboriginal self-determination. Mental Health System, July 2019
Further The Charter also has no avenue
for people to take direct legal
38 Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare, The Health of Australia’s
strategies
Prisoners 2018, May 2019
action when their rights are
breached. The Victorian 39 M McMahon, No bail, more jail?,
Department of Parliamentary
Government can strengthen the
Services, Parliament of Victoria,
Charter to provide people with a
August 2019
direct right of action and protect
40 Australian Bureau of Statistics,
more of the rights that impact on
Corrective Service June Quarter
the lives of vulnerable Victorians. 2019 CAT No. 4512, September 2019
Improve treatment options
for people in prison. 41 Australian Institute of Health and
Expand Victoria’s drug courts. Welfare, The health of Australia’s
Sixty per cent of people who
The Victorian Drug Court and prisoners 2018, May 2019
enter prison in Victoria report
the Family Drug Treatment Court 42 Parliament of Victoria, Legislative
being diagnosed with a pre-existing
reduce reoffending and promote Council Legal and Social Issues
mental health disorder.41 Prison Committee, Inquiry into a legislated
family reunification.43 The Victorian
sentences can be an opportunity spent convictions scheme; A
Government can help keep people
to help people address their controlled disclosure of criminal
out of prison by expanding the record information framework for
mental health and alcohol and
Drug Court model across the Victoria, August 2019
drug problems, and participate in
state, including to rural and 43 KPMG, Evaluation of the Drug Court
training and education that will help
regional areas. of Victoria, for Magistrates Court of
keep them out of prison in future.
Victoria, December 2014, p.4
Establish a spent convictions
31 Victorian Department of Treasury,
scheme. Victorian Budget 19/20: Budget
The Victorian Government can Paper No. 3, 2019
end discrimination against people 32 R Millar, C Vedelago, ‘Prisons
whose records of old, minor to focus on rehabilitation, not
convictions are stopping them recidivism: Minister’, The Age,
June 28 2019
finding a job or a house or getting
insurance. 33 J Heerde, J Toumbourou,
S Hemphill, H Le, T Herrenkohl,
Victoria is the only state in Australia R Catalano, Prevent crime and save
without a spent conviction scheme. money: Return on investment models
The Legislative Assembly Legal in Australia, Australian Institute of
Criminology, April 2018
and Social Issues Committee
has recommended a “controlled 34 Jesuit Social Services, Victorian
State Election Platform: Youth
disclosure of criminal record
Justice, 2018
information framework” be
35 Department of Justice and
developed as “a matter of
Regulation, Youth Parole Board
urgency.”42 Annual Report 2017–18, September
2018
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