With a mandate to advise on policy and research priorities and to oversee and contribute to advocacy activities, the CSSV Policy, Advocacy and Research Committee – initially formed as the Catholic Policy Network in 2006 – has offered guidance and direction to CSSV’s policy work for almost 20 years.
Bringing together expertise from across the Catholic social services sector alongside experts from outside other areas, this Committee provides a strong platform from which CSSV can take well-informed positions on current concerns affecting those most disadvantaged across Victoria, and to present a united front when advocating for the needs of the sector and for those we seek to serve. The variety of experiences and the range of expertise that each committee member brings to discussion serves to deepen and enhance the work that CSSV undertakes in its key strategic priorities of: Homelessness and Housing, Domestic Violence and Equity and Justice.
Recent meeting discussions have included:
- State Victorian Social Services Regulation reform
- The Victorian State Budget and implications for social services
- How CSSV, as a peak body, can play a role in building social services persepctives to be seen as credible when speaking out on issues that impact wider society, not just those member organsiations serve, such as taxation reform
- Childhood early intervention and possible collaboration with the wider Catholic education sector in 3 year old Kinder role out, and the needs present in early childhood education
- The ongoing housing crisis and coordinated work to see place-based responses prioritsied, wrap-around adn community development services understood as vital, better use of existing housing supply alongside small and large scale new housing developments
- Reconciliation and how CSSV might best use our network and resources to encourage deeper engagement in current processes like Treaty and the Yoorrook Justice Commission
- Upcoming launch of brochure on family and domestic violence for parishes, Catholic schools and communities
The Policy, Advocacy and Research Committee is currently made up of: the Chair – Nick Halfpenny (MacKillop Family Services), Nick Collins (CatholicCare Victoria), Rahel Den Elzen (Jesuit Social Services), Gavin Dufty (St Vincent de Paul Society), Suralini Fernando (Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand), Olivia Killeen (Sacred Heart Mission), and Vin Martin. With committee members coming from organisations that cover a diverse array of services and areas of social policy, they contribute a wealth of knowledge and experience which is able to inform CSSV’s sector-wide approach to policy and advocacy. The Committee meets six times a year.
Opportunities to join the Committee are ongoing, to ensure a diversity of backgrounds and experiences are brought to the meetings, with members being appointed by the CSSV Council. If you would like to express interest in joining the Policy, Advocacy and Research Committee, or would like to find out more about the work of the committee, please contact the CSSV office.
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