UN World Day of Social Justice

Published

February 19, 2019

A man and a woman hug in a garden. The man's hand cradles the woman's head

An important part of our mission is to confront injustice and improve people’s lives.

February 20 marks the tenth annual United Nations (UN) World Day of Social Justice.

This day recognises the need to promote efforts to tackle issues such as poverty, exclusion, employment, gender equity and access to social well-being and justice for all.

Good social policy can help ensure social justice

This includes providing affordable and accessible education and healthcare, social housing for those who need it, employment laws that protect workers, and a fair minimum wage and taxation system.

By working with governments to improve public policy and increase investment in underfunded public services, we can create meaningful change and positive impact for some of the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our communities.

In 2018 we celebrated some significant wins through our advocacy work.  

  • With housing availability and affordability a growing concern, we called on state governments to fix the system and support vulnerable people in our community to access secure housing. We were pleased to see the Victorian government introduce changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to strengthen renters’ rights and better protect vulnerable tenants. The Victorian and Tasmanian governments have both committed to building more low-cost housing.
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  • As members of the One Million Homes Alliance, we helped influence energy ministers to approve the Trajectory for Low Energy Homes National Plan. This will play an important part in reducing energy bills for people facing financial hardship. Find out more
  • Our research into the importance and accessibility of early learning played a role in the Victorian government funding 15-hours per week of early learning for all three-year-old children.
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  • We worked independently and with other organisations through the sector wide Home Stretch campaign to influence the extension of out-of-home care for young people until they reach 21 in both Victoria and Tasmania.
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  • Our efforts contributed to the Victorian government increasing funding for community mental health services and committing to hold a Royal Commission into mental health.
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You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram to keep up to date on our latest advocacy activities and how you can get involved.

Find out more about our advocacy work 

 

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