Category Archives: Social Policy

Moving to a zero carbon economy: a conversation with Professor John Wiseman on social justice and the environment

Posted on February 14, 2015 by vittorio1

Professor John Wiseman is the Deputy Director of the Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute at the University of Melbourne. His current research focus is the social, economic and political transformations needed to reduce the risks of runaway climate change and achieve … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Social Policy | Leave a comment

The demise of Medicare Locals: What social workers in private practice should do about it

Posted on November 23, 2014 by vittorio1

Fours years ago on a sunny autumn day in Canberra, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and NSW Premier Kristina Keneally took a stroll through the roses in the gardens of Federal Parliament. Both were bleeding political capital and desperate to do … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics, Social Policy | Leave a comment

The road from citizen to consumer: outsourcing altruism

Posted on October 20, 2014 by vittorio1

Back in May, Tony Nicholson, the Executive Director of the Brotherhood of St Laurence gave a speech on the future of the community welfare sector. He said in part, I want to consider the path our community welfare sector will … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Policy, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Education and workforce planning: a social good or a commodity?

Posted on September 12, 2014 by vittorio1

Last month the Abbott Government wound up Health Workforce Australia sending a very clear signal that it believes planning is…well..overrated. Welcome to the world of  deregulation and smaller government. Marketised environments are by their nature, fragmented, competitive (even when co-operation … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Policy | Leave a comment

The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme: a never-ending story

Posted on September 11, 2014 by vittorio1

In April, the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council (AHMAC) announced a  review of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS). Former director of WA Health Kim Snowball was appointed to independently lead the review. Mr Snowball has held a variety … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Policy | 1 Comment

AASW position paper on aged care: Is there a right to dignity and shelter?

Posted on September 1, 2014 by vittorio1

If you were interested in my post on who pays for nursing home care, you might also want to read the AASW position paper, Ageing in Australia. It takes a human rights perspective and is written with care and compassion. … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Policy | Leave a comment

Who pays for nursing home care? And why is the cost linked to real estate values?

Posted on August 27, 2014 by vittorio1

If our government tells us it will be reforming something in order to make it sustainable, improve access, provide more choice and improve quality – be afraid. No- this is not a piece about higher education “reform”; it is about … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Policy | Leave a comment

Tony Abbott, the Pope, the Greens and maternity leave

Posted on April 16, 2014 by vittorio1

I originally posted the piece below 12 months ago. It remains relevant today.  It looks like Tony Abbott will be wedged by a big business friendly Senate that values profit above family and community. An ex-Pope, the Greens and Tony … Continue reading →

Posted in Social Policy | Leave a comment