2015 cover page - sosj.org.au · the state of tomorrow the responsibility of each of us nsw state...

THE STATE OF TOMORROW

The responsibility of each of us

NSW State Election 2015

NetAct Your voice strengthens our voice

A"Project"of"Catholic"Social"Justice,"Welfare"and"Educational"Agencies"14#Yerrick#Rd#Lakemba#2195#[email protected]#

NetAct

CARING'ABOUT'THE'STATE''OF'TOMORROW'

And doing something about it As#we#prepare#for#the#NSW#Election#we#call#to#mind#the#values#that#we#hope#will#guide#us#–#human#dignity,#The#common#good,#ecological# responsibility,#and#solidarity#with# those#who#have#been#marginalised#and#made#poor#by#inadequate#structures.##At#this#time,#we#are#at#a#critical#point#in#our#political#history.##Democratic#processes#are#being#challenged.#The#rights#and#responsibilities#of#individuals#and#communities#are#not#sufficiently#recognised.##The#negative#effects#of#economic#globalisation#are#undermining#human#rights.##CARING'ABOUT'THE'STATE'OF'TOMORROW#is#offered#for#your#consideration#and#reflection#in#the#light#of#your#values#and#concerns.##It#contains#a#number#of#Issues#Papers,#compiled#through#NetAct,#as#a#lead#up#to#the#State#Election.#It#is#hoped#that#the#kit#will#be#used#by#many#in#the#community#to#alert#politicians#to#the#concerns#of# those#who#believe# in#a# ‘fair#go’# for#all,#as#well#as#in#human#and#ecological#responsibility.##The'Kit:'#

• Reaffirms#the#right#of#church#groups#and#individuals#to#speak#on#justice#issues.#• Highlights#some#key#principles#that#underpin#this#right.#• Considers#a#number#of#issues#facing#us#at#this#time#in#NSW.#• Suggests#possibilities#for#deliberation#and#action#during#this#election#period.#

#The#Christian#gospel#calls#us#to#engage#the#society#in#which#we#live#and#to#do#what#we#can#to#transform#it#in#line#with#the#values#of#the#Kingdom,#proclaimed#by#Jesus#through#his#life.##For#Christians,# the#work#of# social# transformation# is# not# an#optional# extra.# It# stems# from#God’s#own# passion# for# those# who# are# marginalised# and# suffering# –# ‘to# unloose# the# bonds# of#injustice,#to#break#every#yoke#and#to#free#those#who#are#oppressed.’##

To# love# God# and# neighbour# is# not# something# abstract,# but# profoundly# concrete:# it#means#seeing#in#every#person#the#face#of#God,#to#serve#God#concretely.#The#dignity#of#each#human#person#and#the#pursuit#of#the#common#good#are#concerns,#which#ought#to#shape#all#economic,#political#and#social#policies.#

Pope#Francis#2013#We would be grateful if this kit could be distributed widely. Yours in anticipation,

Jan Barnett For the NetAct Committee.

A Project of Catholic Social Justice, Welfare and Educational Agencies 14 Yerrick Rd Lakemba NSW 2195

[email protected]

Your voice strengthens our voice

LIST%OF%PAPERS%

1. Aboriginal Juvenile Imprisonment Rates

2. The Coal Seam Gas Industry

3. Educating for Life

4. The Environment – Our Precious Inheritance

5. Food Sustainability

6. Health Care

7. Housing and Homelessness

8. Transport

NetAct

Our Responsibility for

ABORIGINAL JUVENILE IMPRISONMENT RATES

WHAT DO WE BELIEVE? !

Everyone( is( entitled( to( the(enjoyment(of(human!rights(without(discrimination( of( any( kind,(including(on(the(basis(of(race.((((Genuine! equality( for( indigenous(citizens,( as( a( basic( human( right,(requires( an( acknowledgement! of!their! unique! identity( and( cultural(heritage,( and( an( active( recognition(of(cultural(differences.(((The( principles( of(prevention,! early!intervention! and! social! inclusion(are( fundamental( to( decision?making(and(service(delivery.((Effective! policy( minimises( the(alienation( and( marginalisation( of(people.((

WHAT CONCERNS US AT THIS TIME? (Numbers(in(Custody(Aboriginal( young( people( (aged( 10(to( 25)( remain( the( most( over?represented( group( in( our( prison(population.( Half( of( our( juvenile(justice( population( is( Aboriginal(despite( only( making( up( 3%( of( the(general(population.(((((Evidence(We(know( that( those(most( likely( to(end( up( in( custody( are( poor;(Aboriginal;( with( some( disability;(have(experienced(abuse(or(trauma;(have( a( parent( who( has( been( in(prison;( are( homeless;( have(problems( with( alcohol( or( other(drugs.( ( ( There( is( evidence( to( show(that( an( Indigenous( juvenile( is( far(more(likely(to(be(taken(into(custody(than(a(non?Aboriginal(person(guilty(of(the(same(offence.(((((Reasons(for(increases(in(numbers(The(NSW(Bureau(of(Crime(Statistics(confirms( that( increased( numbers(are( the( consequence( of( tougher(bail( and( sentencing( policies,(reflected(across(the(state.((Limitations(of(the(Bail(Act(The!Bail!Act(has(never(reflected(the(interests( of( young( people,( and( is(more(onerous(for(young(indigenous(juveniles( than( for( adults.( Its(limitations( have( been( exacerbated(by(the(2010(amendments.((

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS? (

Putting(young(offenders( in(custody!is! both! expensive! and! ineffective.(More( than( half( released( from(detention(will( re?offend.(Detention(also(intensifies(the(need(for(greater(support( post?release.( These( are(hardly(good(outcomes.(!Policy! based! solely! on! law! and!order( results( in( demands( for(more(detention( centres( at( considerable(cost,( and( with( consequent( cutting(of(costs(to(other(services.((((

The( ‘political( necessity’( to( appear(tough( on( crime( means( that( NSW(governments(have( invested( little( in(alternative( measures( or( programs,(even( for( people( with( short( term(custodial(sentences.((Not(only(does( the( “law(and(order”(approach( not( deter( crime,(however,( but( the( cost( to( the(government( (&( ultimately( the( tax?payer)(to(keep(a(juvenile(in(custody(is(in(excess(of($150,000(a(year.(((Justice! Reinvestment! has! shown!that! a! focus! on! prevention! and!rehabilitation( leads( to( community(based( and( restorative( justice(programs.,( which( have( recorded(lower(rates(of(re?offending.(((Thus(there(exist(two!policy!goals!in!conflict.( We( want( to( reduce( the(rate( of( juvenile( Aboriginal(imprisonment( in( NSW( yet( we( use(imprisonment( as( the( main( means(towards( that( end,( despite(numerous( studies( showing( that( it(doesn’t(achieve(that(goal.((

Bishop!Saunders!speaks!with!empathy!about!six!Aboriginal!young!men!he!visited!in!the!Broome!Regional!Prison:!!!!

“Their&poverty,&deprivation&and&life2styles&had&trapped&them&and&locked&them&on&to&the&lowest&rung&of&the&socio2economic&ladder.&The&resultant&hopelessness&led&them&to&a&life&of&risk&taking,&with&little&regard&for&the&law.&&Living&on&the&margins&meant&making&choices&that&had&dire&consequences,&bringing&them&into&contact&with&the&criminal&justice&system&and&gaol.”&&

WHAT CAN WE DO AS A COMMUNITY? (

Research(internationally(has(shown(clearly( that( reducing! poverty( and(all( that( goes( with( it( will( reduce!crime(and(ultimately(the(number(of(people( in( our( gaols.( An( approach(that( builds( skills( and( resilience( is(ultimately(more(cost(effective(than(spending( $500( per( day( to( keep( a(child( locked( up.( Yet( the( NSW(Government( has( failed( largely( to(invest( in( preventative( and(restorative(programs((Diversionary! and! culturally!

appropriate! programs( that( work(with( young( people( to( detect( signs(of( problem( behaviour( can( help(divert(young(people( from(entering,(or( re?entering( the( juvenile( justice(system.( This( requires( adequate!

funding,( guaranteed( for( the( long(term( and( subject( to( independent(review.(((

By( developing( a( bipartisan! and!community!approach!to(innovative(juvenile( justice,( all( Parties( could(work( together( to( achieve( the(necessary(and(desired(change.((

Evidence?based( policy( can( no(longer( be( passed( over( in( favour( of(short?term( political( gains.( We! do!

not!need!another!“law!and!order”!

election!in!NSW.!!(There( is( need( for( better! trained!and!culturally! informed!police!and!

judiciary,( properly( resourced( legal(defence( services,( and( working(alternatives( to( incarceration( such(as( police( cautions( or( case(conferencing(for(those(found(guilty(of(crimes(?(all(contribute(towards(a(different(approach.(((((

(((

WHAT CAN WE DO POLITICALLY? !

WE!CAN!LOBBY!CANDIDATES:

To! improve! the! quality! of! legal!

help( available( to( young( people( so(that(they(are(able(to(articulate(their(defence( in( the( culturally( foreign(environment(of(a(courtroom.((To! change! the! bail( act( to( ensure(that( juvenileQspecific! criteria(override( the( inflexible(and(punitive(provisions( of( bail( and( repeat(offenders’(legislation.(((

To! adopt! a! bipartisan! approach(that( makes( a( commitment( to(reinvesting( funds( into( programs(such( as( the( community?based(model( being( advocated( by( Just(Reinvest,( a( program( ideally! suited!to! the! particular! circumstances! of!

Indigenous!communities.(((

To! reinvest( a( percentage( of( funds(that(would(have(been(spent(on(law(and( order( into( early( intervention,(crime( prevention( and( diversionary(programs,( thus( creating( savings( in(the( criminal( justice( system.( ( Such(programs( could( reduce( offending(and(re?offending(rates(by(assessing!problems( facing( particular(communities,( and( diverting! funds(into( areas,( which( can( be( tracked(and(reinvested.(!

FOR!MORE!INFORMATION! !Justreinvest.org.au!!

Australian!Indigenous!Law!Review(2010,(Vol.14,(Number(1.((!

Bail!laws!in!NSW,!‘The!Law!Report,’!

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lawreport/

stories/2010/3072759.htm!Q!!!

www.antar.org.au/nsw!

!

!!

!

!

!

((

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

PHILOSOPHY OF JUST REINVEST

GIVE THEM A LIFE

NOT LIFE IN PRISON

Just%Reinvest%NSW%is%committed%to%addressing%the%overrepresentation%of%Aboriginal%young%people%in%custody.

WE CAN UNLOCK THE PATHWAY TO CHANGE

Homelessness,%child%abuse,%disability,%high>risk%drug%and%alcohol%use,%%

poor%school%attendance,%%a%lack%of%appropriate%services;%%

violence,%discrimination%and%poverty%%all%act%as%precursors%to%young%people%

becoming%entrenched%%in%the%criminal%justice%system.%%

These%issues%are%difficult%%for%Aboriginal%young%people%%to%manage%without%help.%

%

BUILD THEM A BRIGHTER FUTURE

We%aim%to%influence%%the%New%South%Wales%Government%

%to%shift%spending%%that%has%been%allocated%for%prisons%towards%community>based%programs%

and%services%%that%address%the%factors%

%that%contribute%to%criminal%behaviour%%in%young%people.(

A Project of Catholic Social Justice, Welfare and Educational Agencies 14 Yerrick Rd Lakemba NSW 2195. [email protected]



COAL SEAM GAS

WHAT DO WE BELIEVE? All#forms#of#life!–!plant,!animal!and!human!–!are!fundamentally!interconnected!and!inter4dependent.!!Future#generations!have!a!right!to!inherit!a!healthily!functioning!and!bio4diverse!world.!

The#water#cycle!is!part!of!a!broader!ecosystem! on! which! our! food! and!industry! depends! and! access! to!safe,!clean!water!is!a!basic!right!for!humans!and!other!species!!

The#conservation#of#the#earth’s#resources!is!vital!for!our!own!and!the!planet’s!survival.!

There# needs# to# be# a# balance!between! the! priorities! of!environmental! needs! and! social!and! economic! costs.! ! Earth! and!people! take! precedence! over!profits.!

Protection# of# environmental#resources! is! fundamental! to! a!healthy!environment.!

!

!

!

!

!

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES? Worth&of&CSG&The! CSG! industry! is! worth! many!billions! and! is! growing!exponentially,! particularly! in! the!eastern! half! of! Australia.! ! For! the!government,! it's! a! welcome!bonanza.!There! is!also! the!promise!of! jobs! in! declining! rural! centres!and! of! income! from! exports.!!Opponents!argue!that!these!profits!are! taking! precedence! over! the!health!of!the!environment.!!Conflict&over&land&use&CSG! is! often! found! beneath! fertile!soil,!creating!conflict!over!land!use.!The! Liverpool! Plains! has! high! CSG!activity,! but! currently! produces!almost!14%!of!Australia’s!food.!The!loss!of!this!land!to!CSG!would!mean!the! destruction! of! prime! farming!soil! and! an! uncertain! future! for!food!production.!!Environmental&contamination&Our! ecosystem! is! a! delicate! one,!with! an! unpredictable! relationship!with!land!and!water.!The!expanding!CSG! industry! represents! a! serious!threat! to! the!precarious!balance!of!our!river!systems,!farming!land!and!the!fresh!water!aquifers!that!supply!much!of!our!clean!drinking!water.!!!

Proven&Dangers&In!one!incident!alone,!Santos,!a!CSG!mining!company,!admitted!to!several!major!spills!of!toxic!water!in!the!Pilliga!state!forest.#Due!to!high!levels!of!arsenic,!lead!and!salts,!large!areas!of!trees!and!vegetation!were!killed.!

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS? #Coal# seam# gas! has! emerged! as! a!major!industry!in!little!more!than!a!decade.! ! There! has! been! strong#support# by# the# NSW# Government#for#the#CSG#industry!as!it!is!a!major!income!earner.!!!There!are!however!significant,!well4founded!fears.!!!Conservative!estimates!suggest!coal!seam!gas!wells!could!draw!300#gigalitres#of#water#from#the#ground!each!year!

This!industry!could!produce!as#much#greenhouse#gas#as#all#the#cars!on!the!road!in!Australia?!

Modelling! suggests! the! industry!could!produce!31#million#tonnes#of#waste#salt!over!the!next!30!years?!

!In! Oklahoma,! since! CSG! mining!began,! the! number! of! earthquakes!has! leapt! from! an! average! of! 2! a!year!to!567!in!2014!!!Other# Uncertainties# continue# to#emerge#!• This! is! an! industry,! which! is!

inadequately!researched.!• It! is! of! only! short4term! benefit!

yet! potentially! does! long4term!damage!to!our!environment.!

• Damage!is!done!by!drilling!even!when! there! may! be! no! return!of!gas.!

!In# summary,# it# seems# that# CSG#exploration#takes#water#from#rural#supplies,# contributes# to# pollution,#and# threatens# rock# structure,#including#aquifers.#!

‘For$people$it$is$convenient$not$to$ act.$ $ We$ have$ to$ make$ it$inconvenient$ for$ them$ not$ to$act.$Nothing$changes$until$ the$pain$ of$ not$ acting$ is$ high$enough.’!!!

Anote!Tong,!President!of!the!Republic!of!Kiribati.!

&

WHAT CAN WE DO POLITICALLY? Contact! election! candidates! by!

phone!or!write!to!him/her!(a!phone!

call!or! letter! is!worth!50!signatures!

on!a!petition).!!!Ask!for!one!or!more!

of!the!following:!

1. Regulation,# better# science# and#data# collection,! and! a! more!

strategic,! transparent!approach!

to!CSG!exploration!

2. Integration#of#legislation!which!ensures! that! strategic!

outcomes! are! environmentally!

and! socially,! as! well! as!

economically,!sustainable!

!

3. Greater# commitment# to!renewable! and! cost4effective!

energy! based! on! wind,! solar!

and!tidal!technologies!

!

4. Restoration# of# healthy# rivers!particularly! the! Murray4Darling!

system! through! co4operation!

with! the! Federal! Government!

and! other! States! to! implement!

the!Murray!Darling!Basin!Plan!!

!

5. Restrictions# imposed# on# Coal#Seam#Mining#extraction!until!a!precautionary,! considered! and!

integrated! strategy! is!

developed! –! one! that! includes!

community! consultation! and!

independent!scientific!input.!

WHAT CAN WE DO PERSONALLY?!#Without# objective,# scientific#transparent# and# accountable#decisionOmaking# processes! it! is!

impossible! to! guarantee! the! safety!

of!CSG!exploration.!

#1. Get!educated!about!the!status!

and!practice!of!CSG!mining!

2. Discuss! the! issue! with! family!

and!friends!

!

3. View#the#movies:#GasLand!and!Promised#Land,!!

!

4. Join! with! others! in! your! parish!

or! community! and! personally!

meet! with! your! local! member!

or!candidate!as!a!group.!

!

5. Join!OzGreen!“My!River!

Project”!which!monitors!the!

health!of!rivers,!particularly,!

the!Hunter!and!Murray4Darling!

!

For#More#Information##NSW#Water#www.water.nsw.gov.au/Home/default.

aspx!

!

Coal#Seam#Gas#Mining##www.nwc.gov.au/www/html/29594

coal4seam4gas.asp?intSiteID=1!

!

OzGreen#www.ozgreen.org!

!!

ABC!

www.abc.net.au/news/specials/coal4

seam4gas4by4the4numbers/!

!

The! National! Toxics! Network:!

http://www.ntn.org.au/!

!

!



Creation$is$not$a$property,$which$we$can$rule$over$at$will;$or,$even$less,$is$the$property$of$only$a$few:$Creation$is$a$gift,$it$is$a$wonderful$gift$that$God$has$given$us,$one$that$we$care$for$it$and$use$for$the$benefit$of$all,$always$with$great$respect$and$gratitude.$

Pope!Francis#

God,$Creator$and$Sustainer,$$free$us$from$ignorance$$about$your$gift$of$Earth.$$

Inspire$us$to$act$together$$in$respect$for$your$gift$$and$change$our$ways$as$we$relate$to$Earth’s$rhythms$$with$humility.$$

May$we$welcome$the$truth$$when$scientists$speak$$of$climate$change,$$and$reject$false$pathways$$designed$to$confuse.$$

Help$us$to$urge$our$politicians$$to$take$moral$decisions$and$urgent$action$$in$negotiating$sustainable$living.$$

Ground$all$our$thoughts!!in!your!revealing!Scriptures,!!

&!the!wisdom!of!holy!women!&!men!!

who!have!gone!before!us!!

to!help!cultivate!a!new!creation!!

as!followers!of!your!Cosmic!Son.!

!

Give!us!a!discerning!spirit!!

to!work!with!the!ecological!!

and!the!human,!!

the!social!and!the!economic!!

realities!of!this!world,!!

and!instil!in!us!a!spirit!!

of!respect!and!compassion!!

able!to!imagine!pathways!of!harmony.!!

Amen!

Fr!Charles!Rue,!Let$the$Son$Shine$2013:$$An$Australian$Catholic$Response$$to$Climate$Change:!http://www.columban.org.au/assets/files

/jpic/LTSS%202013%20version.pdf!

#


EDUCATING FOR LIFE WHAT DO WE BELIEVE? !It#is#our#belief#that#education#is#the!right!of!every!child.!##All# students# have# the# right# to#equitable,! intrinsically! valuable,!and!accessible#education##Quality#education#for#all#students#is#a# critical! investment# that# NSW#makes#for#its#future.##Parents#have#the#primary#right!and!obligation# to# ensure# the# best#education#for#their#children.##Both#the#Commonwealth!and!State!Governments!play!a!critical! role# in#the# provision# of# funding# that# is#stable,#long#term#and#committed#to#all#students.###An# equitable! distribution# of!resources# takes# into# particular#account# the# needs# of# students#disadvantaged#by# social,# economic,#cultural#or#physical#factors.##The# valuing! of! teachers# leads#logically# to# the# provision# of#adequate# resources# for# teacher#education,# remuneration,# and# the#ongoing#teacher#development.##

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES? #Population*Growth*The# NSW# birth# rate# has# risen# by#10,000# per# year# since# 2010.# By#2031,# enrolments# will# grow# by#267,000# students,# putting# pressure#on# both# government# and# nonIgovernment#school#sectors.##Long*term*Strategic*Planning*The# increase# in# population# density#in#many#suburbs#in#Sydney#has#had#a# significant# impact# on# existing#schools.# # Suitable# school# sites# are#scarce,# and# planning# across#education# sectors# has# become#increasingly#difficult.#!Funding*Increasing#numbers#of#students,#the#demands# of# technology,# and#educational# requirements# are# fast#outstripping# the# funding# allocated#to# schools.# # Additionally,# Inequities#in# planning# charges# and#infrastructure# levies# are# placing#significant# burdens# on# nonIGovernment#schools###Literacy*and*Numeracy*Literacy# and# numeracy# results# for#students# have# declined# in# the# past#decade.# # On# a# range# of# 35#educational#measures,#Australia# (in#comparison# with# 27# other# OECD#countries),# falls# below# the# average#on#more#than#half.!!Catholic*Schools*Despite# the# fact# that# Catholic#schools# educate# one# in# five#students,# Catholic# schools# receive#just# 21%# of# annual# recurrent# costs#and#2%#of#the#capital#funding.###

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS? #Specific#cuts! in! funding! in!NSW,# in#TAFE,#Abstudy#and#in#Adult#Migrant#Education# Services# have# negatively#impacted# on# students# in#disadvantaged# groups,# especially#those# in# greatest# need,# and# those#with#the#least#powerful#voices.##In#higher#education,!rising#fees,#the#deregulated# HECS# system,# and#missionIbased# compacts# have#resulted# in# decreasing! numbers! of!disadvantaged! students!proceeding!to!university.#!#The#inequities#in#funding#allocations#in# planning# charges# and# in#Infrastructure# levies# are# adding# to#the# costs# to# nonIGovernment#schools# and# parents.# Catholic!schools! receive!$30!per! student! in!capital! funding! while! government!schools!receive!$524.!#Parents#of#Catholic#school#students#contribute!twice#–#as#taxpayers#and#through#fees.###Educational# trends# have# led# to# an!overemphasis! on! standardised!tests# as# the# benchmark# of# a#school’s# standards,# and# undermine#the# fundamental# goals# of# a# longIterm# love#of# learning#and#ability# to#think#critically.##Teacher! shortage,# particularly# in#specific# subject# areas,# is#exacerbated# by# the# low! status! of,!and! limited! career! paths# in,# the#teaching#profession###

WHAT CAN WE DO POLITICALLY? #WE!CAN!LOBBY!CANDIDATES:!#To#commit#to#funding#that#provides!greater!equity,!certainty!and!choice#for#all#schools#into#the#future.#

To!establish!a!level!playing!field!in!future! planning! charges! and!Infrastructure! levies,# by# removing#the# inequities# that# are# adding# to#the# costs# to# nonIgovernment#schools# and# parents,# and# by#introducing# a# uniform# planning#code#for#schools.####To# promote! ongoing! consultation!with! all! stakeholders! about! the!National! Curriculum,# so# that#concerns# about# its# overcrowding,#narrow# and# regressive# aspects# can#be#addressed####To# place! greater! focus! on! the!needs! of! students! disadvantaged!by! the! cuts! of! the! past! twenty!years# (to# compensate# for#differences#in#social#status,#material#wealth,# geographic# location# and#resource#levels)##To#provide!equitable!access!to!new!technologies# to# overcome# the#digital#divide###To# provide! opportunities! for! all#students! to! complete! tertiary!studies# without# unnecessary#hardship##To# provide! for! the! professional!development! of! teachers# to# meet#rapidly#changing#demands###To# increase! funding! to! early!childhood! education,# so# that# it# is#accessible# and# affordable# for# the#whole# community,# not# just# the#wealthy.#

WHAT CAN WE DO PERSONALLY?

Inform! ourselves# about! standards#of#education#in#Australia#and#about#the#causes#and#results#of#policies#of#the#past#ten#years.#

Support! increased! funding! to# all#schools# in# conversation# with#friends,# with# an# emphasis# on#students#in#greatest#need#

Promote! a# more! sophisticated!approach! to# education,# which#recognises# that# education# is# more#than#basic#skills#testing#

Invite!guest!speakers#who#can#lead#a#discussion#on#the#vision,#aims#and#practice#in#education#today.#

!FOR!MORE!INFORMATION!!Catholic#Education#Commission#NSW#http://www.cecnsw.catholic.edu.au!#Catholic#Education#Office#Sydney#http://www.ceosyd.catholic.edu.au!!Other!Diocesan!Offices!in!NSW:!Armidale,# Bathurst,# Broken# Bay,#CanberraIGoulburn,#Lismore,#Maitland,#Parramatta,# Wagga# Wagga,# Wilcannia#Forbes,#Wollongong,##!!!!

!!

!!!!!!!!!!

!!!



A century from now,

what shall be said

of our journey in these times?

And who shall the shapers have been?

Who shall have shaped the future more?

The hopeful dreamers

who were strong enough

to suffer for the dream?

Or the fearful pessimists

who were convinced

that dreaming and hope

are for sleepers only,

not for those awake to the age?

A century from now,

shall hope and humour

have been strong enough to enable living

with unanswerable questions?

Or shall the pain

that a transitional age necessarily brings

have caused a retreat to old answers

that no longer acknowledge new questions?

A century from now,

we shall have indeed journeyed …

and real journeyers know

that the direction is always chosen

by those who make the journey.

Who shall choose the direction?

…So the question is still the same …

A century from now, what shall be said

of our human journey in these times?

And who shall the shapers have been?

Lilian Smith The$Journey,$1954$


THE ENVIRONMENT – OUR PRECIOUS INHERITANCE! WHAT DO WE BELIEVE? All#forms#of#life!–!plant,!animal!and!human!–!are!fundamentally!interconnected!and!inter4dependent.!!The#conservation#of#the#earth’s#resources!is!vital!for!our!own!and!the!planet’s!survival.!!Future#generations!have!a!right!to!inherit!a!healthily!functioning!and!bio4diverse!environment.!!All#elements#of#the#environment!have!intrinsic!value,!irrespective!of!the!extent!to!which!they!can!be!utilised!by!humans.!

The#water#cycle!is!part!of!a!broader!ecosystem! on! which! our! food! and!industry! depends! and! access! to!safe,!clean!water!is!a!basic!right!for!humans!and!other!species!!

There# needs# to# be# a# balance!between! the! priorities! of!environmental! needs! and! social!and!economic!costs.!

Protection# of# environmental#resources! is! fundamental! to! a!healthy!environment.!

!

!

!

!

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES? Dependence#on#Consumption#NSW,!with!the!rest!of!the!Western!world,!is!based!on!a!snowballing!consumption!of!resources.!!Influence#of##Globalisation##Economic! globalisation,! which!seems! increasingly! to! be! the!determining! factor! in! State! policy,!has!become!an!escalating!threat!to!environmental!sustainability.!!#Climate#Change#Changing! climate! and! growing!populations! are! affecting! our!environment.!!Population#Growth#Increasing! population! and!decreasing! supply! leads! to!increasing!prices.!!Putting!a!price!on!resources! such! as! water! creates!awareness! of! scarcity,! but! affects!the!most!vulnerable!the!greatest.!!Contamination#Waterways!are!being!contaminated!by!run4off!from!businesses!and!farms!using!chemically4based!fertilisers!and!pesticides.!#Coal,#Gas#and#Minerals#There! has! been! strong! support! by!the!NSW!Government! for! coal,! gas!and! extraction! of! minerals! as!income! earners.! ! Over! reliance! on!fossil! fuels! and! the! increasing!greenhouse!gas!emissions!continue!to! pollute! the! atmosphere! and!exacerbate!climate!change!

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS? Current#Government#policy#regarding#coal#seam#gas#has!led!to!mounting!environmental!threats!!

Mining# takes# water! from! rural!supplies,! contributes! to! pollution,!and! threatens! rock! structure,!including!aquifers.!!New# water# hungry# coalDfired#power# stations! are! being! planned!and!existing!ones!upgraded.!!#Significant#water! is!being! removed!from! the! system.! NSW! water!consumption! has! dropped! only! 3%!since! 2005! compared! with! 20%! in!Qld.!!!Price#rises#in#water#in#2013#and#the#increasing# use# of# water# in# NSW#households! have! resulted! in! rising!household! water! bills.! ! These! will!increase! further! with! the! need! to!pay!for!desalination!and!recycling.!!The#privatisation#of#water#supply!has!led!to!decreased!water!security!and!also!removed!government!responsibility!for!an!essential!right###Investment#in#Sydney#water#infrastructure!is!being!dominated!by!two!French!water!companies!–!Veolia!and!Suez!!!

!

“What&we&are&doing&to&the&environment&is&but&a&mirror&reflection&of&what&we&are&doing&to&ourselves&and&to&one&another.”&&

―&Chris!Maser&

WHAT DO WE WANT? 1. Regulation,#better#science#and#

data#collection,!and!a!more!strategic,!transparent!approach!to!environmental!issues!

2. Integration#of#legislation!which!ensures! strategic! planning! and!development! outcomes! are!environmentally,! socially! and!economically!sustainable!

!3. Reduction#of#reliance#on#fossil#

and#nuclear#fuels!and!conversion!to!renewable,!cost4effective!energy!based!on!wind,!solar!and!tidal!technologies!

!4. Restoration# of# healthy# rivers!

particularly! the! Murray4Darling!system! through! co4operation!with! the! Federal! Government!and! other! States! to! implement!the!Murray!Darling!Basin!Plan!!

!5. Water#efficiency!–!!

• Technology! used! in!sympathy! with! natural!ecosystems4! so! that! water!is! used! several! times!without! depriving! its!ecosystem!uses.!

• Continued! retro4fitting! of!homes! with! water4efficient!shower!heads,!toilets,!tanks!and!recycled!water.!

!6. Guarantees# that# desalination!

will! not! be! used! to! meet!Sydney’s! supply! needs! when!storage!levels!are!above!30%!

!

7. A#moratorium#imposed#on#Coal#Seam#Mining#extraction!until!a!precautionary,! considered! and!integrated! strategy! is!developed!–!one!which!includes!community! consultation! and!independent!scientific!input.!!

!!!

WHAT CAN WE DO POLITICALLY? #Without# objective,# transparent#and# accountable# decisionDmaking#processes! to! ensure! adequate!community!input!and!confidence!in!the!NSW!water!reform!process,!it!is!impossible! to! guarantee! the! future!health!of!our!water!supply.! ! !There!are! a! number! of! possible! political!actions!we!can!take:!!1. Choose! one! or! more! of! the!

things! that! you! want! from! the!list!provided.!

2. Contact!your!local!member!and!other! election! candidates! by!phone! or! write! to! him/her! (a!phone!call!or! letter! is!worth!50!signatures!on!a!petition).!!

3. Express! your! concerns! clearly.!Use!the!principles!and!issues!as!outlined,! asking! politicians! to!influence! their! party! to!implement!your!suggestion.!

4. Join!with! others! in! your! parish!or! community! and! personally!meet! with! your! local! member!or!candidate!as!a!group.!

For More Information #NSW#Water#www.water.nsw.gov.au/Home/default.aspx!!Coal#Seam#Gas#Mining##www.nwc.gov.au/www/html/29594coal4seam4gas.asp?intSiteID=1!!OzGreen#www.ozgreen.org!#Nature# Conservation# Council#www.nccnsw.org.au!!

WHAT CAN WE DO PERSONALLY?

WHAT CAN WE DO PERSONALLY? 1. Spread! positive! community!

attitudes!about!water!saving!by!our!own!example.!!

2. Practise!water! efficiency! in!our!homes,!parishes!and!schools.!!

3. Contribute! to! cleaner!water! by!not! using! cleaning! products!containing! phosphates! and!chemicals.!

4. Don’t! allow! garden! litter! and!pet! faeces! to! get! into! storm!water!drains.!

5. Encourage!our!workplace!to!minimise!run4off!and!manage!pollutants!at!their!source!through!better!land!planning,!waste!minimisation!and!clean!production!strategies.!!

6. For!young!people:!Join!the!OzGreen!“My!River!Project”!which!monitors!the!health!of!rivers,!particularly,!the!Hunter,!Cooks!and!Murray4Darling!Rivers!!

!

#

!

A Project of Catholic Social Justice, Welfare and Educational Agencies

14 Yerrick Rd Lakemba NSW 2195. [email protected]


Creation)is)not)a)property,)which)we)can)rule)over)at)will;)or,)even)less,)is)the)property)of)only)a)few:)Creation)is)a)gift,)it)is)a)wonderful)gift)that)God)has)given)us,)so)that)we)care)for)it)and)we)use)it)for)the)benefit)of)all,)always)with)great)respect)and)gratitude.)

Pope!Francis#


FOOD SUSTAINABILITY IN NSW WHAT DO WE BELIEVE? !Access! to! safe! nutritious! food! for!every!person!is!a!basic!human!right!and! integral! to! full! human!development.!!Provision!of!healthy!food!for!all!is!a!responsibility! of! all! levels! of!Government.!!!Permanent! protection! of! fertile!agricultural! land! is! fundamental! to!good!planning.!!Localised!and!regional!food!systems!counter8balance! globalisation! and!play! a! strategic! role! in! community!health!and!security!!Conservation! of! ecosystem!services*! is!essential!(especially!for!biodiversity,!soil!and!water).!!!The! minimisation! of! the! carbon!footprint!is!fundamental!to!healthy!biodiversity!in!food!production!!!!Independent! peer8reviewed!testing! against! health! impact! and!sustainability! is! essential! for!genetically!engineered!food.!!Because! the! provision! of! food! as!being! valued! and! planned! is!paramount,! it! cannot! be! left! to!market!forces!alone.!!*Ecosystem)services)are) the)resources)and) processes) supplied) by) natural)ecosystems!

WHAT CONCERNS US AT THIS TIME?!!Population!The!projected!population!growth!in!Australia!and!the!Sydney!region!(to!7million)!will!require!more!food!!!Food!Security!Innovative! strategies! that! ensure!food! security! and! sustainable! food!systems!are!not!seen!as!priorities!of!government!and!communities.!!Drought,!Climate!Change,!Peak!Oil!The! food! system! faces!unprecedented! pressure! from!increasing! demand,! drought,!climate! change,! peak! oil,! pressure!on! fertile! lands,! and! loss! of!agricultural!skills!and!knowledge!!!Barriers!to!Access!There! are! significant! barriers! to!accessing! good! food! for! all,!including! inadequate! income,!support!and!transport.!!!Employment!and!Production!Food! growing! is! the! largest!employer! in! Western! Sydney,!(about!12,000!people!produce!90%!of!vegetables,! chicken,! turkeys!and!eggs).!! !This!is!threatened!by!urban!development! taking! over! farmland!in!the!Sydney!Basin.!!A!27%!drop!in!agricultural! production! by! 2080! is!predicted!if!this!continues.!!Australia! has! become! a! net!importer! of! fruit! and! vegetables.!!The! current! crisis! surrounding!frozen! berries! highlights! the!problems!associated!with!imports.!!"

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS? !More! than! a! million! Australians!(including!500,000!children)!cannot!afford! nutritious! food.! ! Diet! Rrelated! diseases! are! rising! so! fast,!that!health!costs!will!overtake!state!budgets!by!2030!!!The! purchase! of! land! by! overseas!interests,! and! the! increase! in!mining! will! further! diminish! the!local!production!of!food.!!The! peaking! of! oil! extraction! will!raise! food! prices! from! increased!transport!and!fertiliser!costs.!!!Australia! now! has! a! shortfall! of!1,200! Agriculture! graduates! per!annum!!Those! most! affected! by! food!insecurity!include:!• Farmers!and!rural!communities!• People! with! disabilities,!

including!mental!illness,!chronic!illness!and!substance!abuse!

• Those! on! low! incomes,! the!unemployed,! underemployed!and!the!homeless!

• Indigenous! people,! refugees!and!asylum!seekers!

!Vulnerable! groups! are! more! likely!to! consume! foods! high! in! fat! and!sugar)!and!less!fruit!and!vegetables.!!The!cost!of!a!healthy!food!basket!is!22%! of! average! income! earnings,!but!56%!of!lowRincome!earnings.!!

WHAT CAN WE DO POLITICALLY? !FOOD! SECURITY! IS! TOO!IMPORTANT!TO! LEAVE!UNTIL! IT! IS!TOO!LATE!!!It!is!incumbent!on!us!to!take! action! now.! ! Berries!!! Self!regulation!doesn’t!work!!We!can! lobby!our! local!member! to!call! for! proper! food! labelling!including! genetically! modified!ingredients!!!The! proposed! Food! Policy! Council!!would! adopt! an! integrated!approach!inclusive!of:!!• Protection! in! perpetuity! of!

prime!agricultural! land!and! the!agricultural!water!supply!!

• Compliance! of! agricultural!production! and! distribution!with! principles! of! ecologically!sustainable!development!!

• Access! to! affordable! and!adequate! fresh! food!irrespective!of!income!!

• Investigation! of! innovative!measures!to!promote!access!to!healthy! foods! and! reduce! the!burden!of!chronic!disease!!

• A! cautionary! approach! to!approving!new!food!production!and! processing! technologies! to!ensure!food!safety!!

• Adequate! funding! for!agricultural! research! and!development! that! complies!with! principles! of! ecologically!sustainable! development! and!organic!farming!!

• Fair! economic! returns! to!farmers!!

• Support!for!the!development!of!community8based!and!regional!food! systems! which! support!regional! economies! and!improve!food!access!!

• access! to! information! so! that!people!can!make!informed!food!choices!!!

!

WHAT CAN WE DO PERSONALLY? !We! can! connect!with! like8minded!people! to! establish! a! school,!community!or!parish!garden.!!We!can!approach!our! local!council!to! get! support! for! the! community!garden.!!!We! can! consider! the! food! miles!involved!when!buying!our!food!and!buy!fresh!produce!that! is! in!season!rather! than! imported! produce! that!is!out!of!season.!!We! can! refuse! plastic! bags,! extra!packaging! and! reduce! our! junk!food!intake.!!We! can! refuse! to! buy! food!products! that! have! genetically!modified!ingredients.!!We! can! discuss! the! Food! Policy!Council! proposal! in! our! families!and!communities!!We!can!support!producers!who!use!sustainable!agricultural!practices!Source:!Sydney)Food)Fairness)Alliance!!!Food" is" a" sustaining" and" enduring"necessity." Yet" among" the" basic"essentials" for" life" 8" air," water,"shelter," and" food" 8" only" food" has"been" absent" over" the" years" as" a"focus" of" serious" professional"planning"interest.""

(APAP,"2007)."!!!!!!!

!!!!!!FOR!MORE!INFORMATION!

!Sydney"Food"Fairness"Alliance"!www.foodfairness.org.au!!Liverpool" Plains" Coal" Action" Group!www.ccag.org.au/!!NSW" Centre" for" Food" and" Nutrition!http://sydney.edu.au/science/molecular_bioscience/cphn/!!

!!!!!!



When)we)celebrate)Eucharist):))the)

bread)that)is)broken)and)shared))at)

our)common)table,)we)don’t)want)

the)bread)that)has)been)stolen)

from)the)mouths)of)the)poor,)or)

come)as)a)result)of)destroying)our)

lands)or)diminishing)biodiversity,)

produced)as)a)result)of)unfair)trade)

or)labour)without)a)living)wage,)

laced)with)toxic)elements)or)

threatening)the)integrity)of)

Creation.)

Sandra"Menteith"


HEALTH CARE IN NSW WHAT DO WE BELIEVE? !

We# believe# that# health# is# a# social#good# that# is# basic! to! the! fabric! of!society,# and# that# it# is# a!fundamental!right!of!every!person.##We#believe#that#a#properly# funded,#universal# health# care# system#protects!the!rights!of!all.####It# is# the! responsibility! of!Government# to# provide# and# fund#quality# health# care# programs# and#services,###A# system,# funded! from!government,! non8government! and!private!sources,#is#critical#to#quality#care,# based# on# equity,# universality#and#ease#of#access.##A# person8centred! system,# rather#than#one# that# is# facility<centred,#or#primarily#based#on#profit<making,#is#central#to#health#as#a#social#good.##Frail,# chronically# ill# or#marginalised#persons# have# special# needs,# and#any# system! that! disadvantages!those! on! the! margins! undermines!the!rights!of!all.##Planning# for# adequate# health# and#aged# care# infrastructures# and#services# underpins! services! into!the!future!

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?!#Health!and!socio8economic!status!Levels#of#health# for#people# in#NSW#depend# increasingly# on# socio<economic# status# (NSW$ Health$Survey$ 2010).# # The# lowest# 20%# of#income#earners# in#NSW#experience#the# highest# levels# of# poor# health#outcomes.####Indigenous!health!Indigenous# Australians# remain# the#most# disadvantaged# group# in#Australia# as# measured# by# life#expectancy,# cardiovascular#disease,#diabetes#and#access#to#services.##Mental!illness!!Evidence# shows# that#mental# illness#and# substance# dependency#frequently# co<exist# (NSW$ Health$Literature$2010).###Aged!Care!The# demands# of# an# ageing#population# continue# to# undermine#infrastructures#and#services.##Rural!and!regional!NSW!Decreasing#numbers#of#rural#health#workers,# and# reduced# access# to#healthcare,#are#not#being#addressed#sufficiently#by#the#major#parties.####Government!Funding!Current# debate# indicates# that#funding#will# remain# a# critical# issue.##Hospitals#are#being# forced#to#cover#severe#funding#shortfalls#in#NSW#by#raising# hundreds# of# millions# of#dollars# in#external# revenue.# (AMA).$$Health# Professionals# claim# that$proposed# changes# to# Medicare#would#crush#NSW#hospitals.$$$

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS? #

We# know# that# without#collaboration# between# the# Federal#and# State# Governments,# and# the#non<government# sectors,# very# little#will# happen.# # Stronger# public# and#NGO# partnerships! are! key# to# the#delivery# of# effective# strategies# and#action,# especially# in# low# socio<economic#communities.##We# know# that# without# specific!Aboriginal8controlled!services!with!adequate! programs,# disadvantage#will#continue#for#Aboriginal#people.##We# know# that# the# provision# of#integrated! residential! treatment!and! rehabilitation! facilities# is#critical# for# people# with# a# dual#diagnosis# of# mental# illness# and#substance#abuse.##We# know# that# funding!models# for#the# care# of#older! Australians# need#to# be# explored# (Catholic$ Health$Australia).##We#know#if#we#broaden#the#criteria#to# increase# reimbursement# costs#for# rural! people! and! their! carers,#(e.g.# for# travel)# greater# access# will#be#available#for#these#people.##We#know#that#Increased#funding#for#public! dental! services,# with#particular# focus# on# preventative#dental#services#is#essential.##We# know# that# expansion# of# the#NSW! Health! ComPacks! Program,#will# improve#patient# outcomes# and#hospital#discharge#practices.##

When%we%have%sold%all%our%public%assets,%where%will%future%funds%come%from?%%There%has%to%be%another%way%at%this%time.%%

%

WHAT CAN WE DO POLITICALLY? #The# current# debate# over# funding#between#Commonwealth#and#State#Governments# has# thrown# the#health# debate# into# disarray.##Increased# funding# is# essential# and#cannot#occur#without#collaboration.###There# is# also# the# concern# that# the#current# Government# has# tied# it#commitments# to# the# sale# of# public#assets.##This#is#a#serious#problem#to#those# who# are# opposed# to#privatisation.# Patient! care! must!never!take!second!place!to!politics.##WE! CAN! THEREFORE! LOBBY!CANDIDATES:!!!

• to# commit# to# negotiation#based! on! health! and! social!needs,#not#political#agenda###

#• to# develop# clear# action# plans#

that# focus# on# reducing!inequalities#in#health#outcomes#and#services#

#• to# target! Indigenous! health# as#

a# major# priority# (NSW# has# the#largest# number# of# Indigenous#people#in#Australia)#

#• To#commit#to#the#development#

of#a#new!mental!health!system!in! NSW# that# ensures# access# to#mental# health# care,# especially#for#homeless#people#and# those#who# find# it# difficult# to# engage#with#the#health#care#system.#

#• To#make#access!to!aged!care!an!

entitlement# to# those# assessed#as#needing#it.#

#• To# broaden! criteria! and!

services! for! rural! and!disadvantaged!people#

######

WHAT CAN WE DO PERSONALLY? #We# can# share! ideas# with# our# own#community.###We# can# work! with# like8minded!groups.!##We# can# investigate! possibilities# in#our#area#of#influence#and#action.###We#can# raise!awareness#of#Health#issues#by#inviting#representatives#of#Catholic# Health# Australia# and#community# advocates# and#practitioners#to#speak#with#us.##We#can#advocate#with#religious#and#community# groups# to# investigate#realities# and# possibilities# within#their# own# sectors# (on# any# given#day,#one# in# ten#of#all#Australians# in#a# hospital# or# aged# care# bed# are#being#cared#for#by#a#Catholic#health#or#aged#care#service)#.##!FOR MORE INFORMATION Catholic Health Care Services: www.catholichealthcare.com.au

Catholic Health Australia: www.cha.org.au

NCOSS: www.ncoss.org.au #St#Vincent#de#Paul#Society:#www.vinnies.org.au# Australian# catholic# social# Justice#Council#www.acsjc.org.au##Patients#before#Profits#Nurses#against#Privatisation####



!MAY!GOD!BLESS!US!WITH!DISCOMFORT!at!easy!answers,!half@truths,!!and!superficial!relationships,!so!that!we!may!live!deep!!within!our!hearts.!!MAY!GOD!BLESS!US!WITH!ANGER!at!injustice,!oppression,!!and!exploitation!of!people,!so!that!we!may!work!for!economic!justice!for!all!people.!!MAY!GOD!BLESS!US!WITH!TEARS!!to!shed!for!those!who!suffer!from!pain,!hunger,!homelessness!and!rejection,!so!that!we!may!reach!out!!our!hand!to!comfort!them!and!to!turn!their!pain!into!joy.!!AND!MAY!GOD!BLESS!US!WITH!ENOUGH!FOOLISHNESS!to!believe!that!we!can!make!!a!difference!in!the!world!so!that!we!can!do!!what!others!claim!!cannot!be!done.’!

!Source:(Education(for(Justice.(

(


HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS WHAT DO WE BELIEVE? !

As#Australians,#we#hold#that#• every# Australian# has# the#

right!to!a!home##• adequate#housing#is#a#basic#

human#need,##• adequate# housing# is# a#

fundamental# human# right#(Universal* Declaration* of*Human*Rights,*No.25).*

#We# hold# that# affordable,!appropriate! and! secure! housing,#which# offers# safety,# privacy# and#reasonable# security# of# tenure,# is#fundamental# to# adequate# housing#provision.###We# hold# that# access# to# quality,#affordable# housing,# which# includes#accessibility! to! transport,!employment! and! community!services,# is# central# to# community#well=being,# and# provides# a#foundation# for# family# and# social#stability.##We# hold# that# appropriate# housing#contributes#to#improved#health!and!educational!outcomes,#as#well#as#to#a#productive#workforce.##We# hold# that# the# role! of!Government! is! critical! in# ensuring#that# the# housing# rights# of# people#are# met,# particularly# for# those# on#low#incomes#and#those#with#special#needs.##We#hold#that#the!right!to!a!home#is#basic# to# the# Australian# belief# in# a#fair#go#for#all.#

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES? #

Housing(Stock(There#is#an#insufficient#supply#of#affordable#housing#available#for#purchase#in#NSW.##In#December,#2013,#only#2%#was#affordable#for#low#income#households.### #Housing(Stress(Almost#300,000#households#in#NSW#now# live# in# housing# stress,# i.e.# are#paying! more! than! 30%! of# gross#income#on#recurrent#housing#costs.##More#than#70,000#applicants#are#on#the#waiting#list#for#social#housing.#In# Sydney,# the# average! rental#house#price#rose#to#$540#a#week#in#January,# and# for# a# home# unit# the#average#rent#was#$500#a#week###Housing(Market(In#NSW,#59.4%#of# families#who#are#experiencing# housing# stress# are#located# in# Sydney! which# has# the!most! heated! market# for! private!housing#in#capital#cities.##Homelessness(The# most# recent# reports# from#shelter# NSW# showed# that# in# 2011,#NSW# had# the# largest# number# of#homeless# people# in# Australia#(26.8%).#!!Eviction(of(Public(Housing(Tenants(The# government's# reaffirmation# of#its# hardline# stance# on# the# public#housing# sell=off# has# caused#considerable# stress,# particularly# for#elderly#residents.#

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS? #

We# know# that# in# the# past# fifty#years,# NSW# has# moved! from# a#society#where#housing#was# seen#as#a#universal!right,#to#one#where#it#is#now# predominantly# viewed# as# a#safety!net#for#those#most#in#need.### We# know# that# the# cutbacks! in!Commonwealth! and! state! funding#has# led# to# increased# rental# and#mortgage#stress,#and#a#reduction#in#the# number# of# services# to# assist#those#suffering#financial#stress,#and#domestic#and#family#violence.##We# know# that# social! problems#(violence,# financial# insecurity,#unemployment,#underemployment,#delinquency,# marriage# breakdown,##infirmity# and# old# age)# have# been#shown#to#be#aggravated#by#the#lack#of,#or#inadequate,#housing##We#know#that#the#negative! impact#of# inadequate# housing# has#exacerbated# the#need# for# spending#on# health,# prisons,# and# welfare#provisions.# # In# many# large# housing#estates,#the#lack#of#support#systems#has# resulted# in# significant#instability.#

We#know#that#Governments#have#named#domestic!violence!as#a#significant#cause#of#homelessness,#yet#have#failed#to#provide#affordable#housing#to#alleviate#the#problem.#

We#know#that#the#continuing#increase#in#homelessness#can#be#clearly!related!to!the!decrease!in!affordable!housing.#

WHAT CAN WE DO POLITICALLY? #

Housing# will# continue# to# be# a#critical# issue,#whichever# Party#wins#power.# # Unless# all# candidates#accept#that#housing# is# fundamental#to#a#civil# society,# it#will#continue#to#be# a# growing# financial# and# social#burden#for#the#whole#community.##WE!CAN!LOBBY!CANDIDATES:!!!

to# commit# to# realistic! levels! of!funding! for# housing,# regardless# of#other#calls#made#on#revenue##to# ensure# that# those! evicted! from!public! housing# in# Sydney#(particularly# those#who#are#elderly)#are# able# to# remain! in! the!community,#which#has#been#part#of#their#lives#for#many#years.##

#To!use! the!proceeds! from!the!sale!of! public! housing! to# create# new,#purpose=built,# safe,# affordable#accommodation# to# house# elderly,#long=term#residents##

#to# develop# new! models! of!cooperative! housing# for# low=income#households##To# increase# the# level# of# social#housing#and#upgrade!existing!stock##To# provide# funding# for# public# and#community#housing,#and#incentives!for! the!development!of!affordable!housing#in#the#private#market##To# implement# rentLsetting! in!community!housing,# targeting# low=income#households#and#to#increase!rent!allowance#in#areas#of#need##To# legislate# to#guarantee#adequate!protection!(tenants!and!landlords)##To#invest!in!emergency!housing!for#those#experiencing#severe#stress####

#WHAT CAN WE DO PERSONALLY? #We# can# share! ideas# with# our# own#community.###We# can# work! with! likeLminded!groups.!##We# can# investigate! possibilities# in#our#area#of#influence#and#action.###We#can#raise!awareness#of#housing#issues# by# inviting# community# and#social# housing# advocates# and#practitioners#to#speak#with#us.##We#can#advocate#with#religious#and#community# groups# to# investigate#housing# possibilities# within# their#own#sectors.#!!FOR!MORE!INFORMATION!#Shelter#NSW:#www.shelternsw.org.au##NCOSS:#www.ncoss.org.au##Churches#Community#Housing:#www.churcheshousing.org.au##St#Vincent#de#Paul#Society:#www.vinnies.org.au# Australian# Catholic# Social# Justice#Council#www.acsjc.org.au##

A Project of Catholic Social Justice, Welfare and Educational Agencies

14 Yerrick Rd Lakemba NSW 2195. [email protected]


With the bricks of tolerance We will build together a better world. With the bricks of belonging We will build together a better world. With the bricks of understanding We will build together a better world. With the bricks of sharing We will build together a better world. With the bricks of hope We will build together a better world. With the bricks of community We will build together a better world. With the bricks of love We will build together a better world.

Author unknown


TRANSPORT !

WHAT DO WE BELIEVE? !

The! provision! of! transport! as! an!essential! service! is! a! basic! human!right. (Compendium+ of+ the+ Social+Doctrine+of+the+Catholic+Church)++Affordable,! accessible,! reliable! and!secure! transport! is! fundamental! to!an! adequate! infrastructure,! and! is!the!right!of!every!Australian!!!The! role! of! Government! is! critical!in! ensuring! that! infrastructure! and!transport!needs!of!people!are!met,!particularly! for! those! on! low!incomes!or!with!special!needs.!!Comprehensive! and! broad!planning! in! infrastructure! and!transport! fosters! functional! and!attractive! cities! and! centres,! and!contributes! to! improved! societal!outcomes.!

The! actions! of! each! generation!must! take! into! account! the! needs!of! future! generations! and! the!environment.! ! Governments! have!responsibility!for!both.!!Co9operation! between!Federal! and!State! Governments! is! essential! for!any! effective! infrastructure!development.!!!Planning! should!be!centralised!and!not!market!driven!!!

WHAT ARE THE ISSUES?

Transport)Systems)There! has! been! a! marked!improvement! in! NSW! transport!with! the! release!of!Opal! cards,! the!integration!of!ticketing!with!private!companies!and!station!upgrades.!!!!Population)Increases)Population! increases! and! poor!infrastructure! across! many! areas,!however,! are! placing! growing!pressures! on! transport! systems,!with! negative! impacts! on! access!and! congestion,! air! pollution,! and!the! liveability! of! cities.! Areas! with!poor!public!transport!access!are!the!most!significantly!affected.!!!Greenhouse)Gas)Emissions)Transport! is! Australia’s! fastest!growing!source!of!emissions.! !With!average! use,! a! family! car! travels!13,900km!a!year,! generating!about!6!tonnes!of!greenhouse!gas.++Car)Dependency)Poor! planning! has! contributed! to!car! dependency.! ! Both! cars! and!freight! on! roads! are! increasing.! In!Sydney!around!40%!of!land!is!taken!up! by! roads,! driveways! and! car!parks.! ! This!will! be! exacerbated! by!the! proposed!West! Connex,! which!will! cost! taxpayers! $11.5b! and!benefit! only! a! relatively! small!number!of!Sydney!residents.!!Fuel)Prices)Fluctuating!fuel!prices!affect!access!to! employment,! education,! goods!and! services,! mobility,! and!participation! in! community!activities.!!!!

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS?!!

Car! dependency! has! serious!environmental,! health,! equity! and!economic! consequences.! ! The!range! of! public! health! impacts!caused! by! car! dependency! include!not!only!many!tens!of!thousands!of!traffic! injuries! and! fatalities,! but!inadequate! physical! activity! and!rising!economic!costs. !Growing! urban! development! and!loss! of! productive! land! has!increased! distances! required! to!travel! to! destinations! and! rising!costs!of!fresh!food!in!our!cities.!!!

Poor! infrastructure! has! resulted! in!significant!problems!across!NSW:!• Excessive! distances! from!

workplaces,!schools!and!leisure!pursuits!for!many!

• Inadequate!public!transport!• Increased!reliance!on!cars!with!

resultant!traffic!congestion!• Limited,! inadequate! transport!

opportunities! for! those! who!are!poor,!frail!!or!elderly,!!

• Limited!and! inadequate!service!in!rural!communities!

• Individual!and!family!stress!!

The! power! of! those! with! vested!interests! in! fossil! fuels! is! having! a!disproportionate! influence! on! the!transport! agenda.! Funding!motorways! and! toll! roads! such! as!the! West! Connex! contributes! to!maintaining! a! car/truck! transport!focus! and! diverts! funding! from!public!transport.!!It!also!fails!to!take!into!account! long! term!possibilities!for!transport!and!travel.!

WHAT CAN WE DO POLITICALLY?

WE! CAN! LOBBY! local! Politicians!and!candidates:!!!!To! commit! to! the! development! of!an! effective! and! planned! transport!system,! which! takes! into! account!regard! for! the! environment,! the!social! consequences! of! planning,!the!efficient!use!of! resources,! and!involves!• Planning! controls! and! good!

urban!design!• Integration! of! land! use! and!

transport!• Centres! of! development! with!

corridors! connecting! the!centres!with!highVspeed!rail!!

• Development! of! more! fuel!efficient!vehicles!

• Commitment! to! ongoing!research! and! infrastructure!development!

• Improved!country!roads!• The!development!of!cycle!ways!

in!city!and!rural!centres!!

To! foster! and! promote! expansion!and! improvement! of! public!transport! services! for! the! overall!benefit!of!the!whole!community!!!!!!!!• Dedicated!bus!lanes!and!transit!

ways!in!urban!areas!• Greater!frequency!of!buses!• Better! coordination! with! rail!

services!• Fares! that! allow! for! transfers!

between!modes!• Extension! of! rail! services! and!

rail!links!• A! western! express! city! rail!

service!• Improved! bus! and! train!

timetables!• Concession! fares! for! those! on!

low!incomes!!To! re9allocate! the!$11.5b! from! the!West! Connex! to! improve! health,!education!and!public!transport!!!!

!!

WHAT CAN WE DO PERSONALLY? !We! can! share! ideas! with! our! own!communities! and! interact! with!established!nonVgovernment!bodies!working!on!transport!issues.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We! can! contact! local! community!members! for!discussion!and!action!steps!,!!!!!!!!

We! can!write! letters! or! visit! local!government! members! and!candidates! to! advocate! for! urgent!action,! and! emphasise! the! social!impact!of!nonVaction.!

We! can! actively! support! initiatives!aimed!at!getting!cars!off!roads:!car!pooling,! cycle! ways,! “walking!buses”! for! school! and! sporting!activities,! safety! and! access! for!motor!cycles!!!We!can!discourage!the!use!of!cars!V!more! freeways!will! only!encourage!more!cars.!!For!more!information! www.state plan.nsw.gov au www.aptnsw.org.au/probsolns.htm!!www.metrostrategy.nsw.gov.au/!!www.itls.usyd.edu.au!!!www.lightrail.com.au!!www.greenfleet!.com.au!



!The effective struggle

against global warming will only be possible with a responsible collective answer, that goes beyond

particular interests and behavior and is developed

free of political and economic pressures

Pope!Francis!

2015 cover page - sosj.org.au · the state of tomorrow the responsibility of each of us nsw state...

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