Justice, Opportunity and Shared Wealth for all South Australians
Read our latest media releases, catch up on anything you missed from the our radio program Small Change, and comment on issues and ideas in our blog.
On Tuesday 27 February, SACOSS hosted a Leaders Debate on Social Issues at the Science Exchange in Adelaide.
The Premier Jay Weatherill, Opposition Leader Stephen Marshall, and SA Best Leader Nick Xenophon gave short opening addresses, before answering questions from SACOSS, and then questions submitted to SACOSS prior to the debate from audience and sector members.
A SACOSS analysis today reveals a dramatic fall in funding to non-hospital health services in South Australia.
Using the most recent figures on total health funding by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, SACOSS has looked at the breakdown of hospital vs non-hospital health spending.
According to these AIHW figures (2017), two-thirds of all SA government health expenditure goes on hospitals. Our analysis shows that non-hospital health expenditure (which includes community and public health, dental services and research) has fallen from 40% of all SA...
The South Australian Council of Social Service has welcomed the latest round of energy policy announcements today, and says that consumers could end up being the real winners in a state election focused on energy.
Nick Xenophon today launched the SA Best Energy Policy - which includes a community-owned electricity retailer as well as a move to review the energy concession - while the Labor Party announced interest-free loans for household solar energy.
By Ross Womersley, CEO of The South Australian Council of Social Service
In light of the heartbreaking alleged rape of a toddler in Tennant Creek the kneejerk reaction –including in a prominent column in The Advertiser today – has been to call for even more Aboriginal children to be removed from their parents.
The South Australian Council of Social Service applauds today’s announcement by Premier Jay Weatherill that a re-elected Labor Government would take steps to bridge the digital divide in South Australia. It is good news for those people struggling with internet access and costs, and vital for ensuring that everyone can participate in the digital economy and society.
South Australia has lagged behind Australia with the second lowest score on the Australian Digital Inclusion Index, and with some 17% of households not accessing the internet (above the national average of 15%)....
The South Australian Council of Social Service has today released its latest Cost of Living Update which shows that South Australians spend more on telecommunications than on electricity - and that like electricity costs, the cost of telecommunications hit those on the lowest incomes hardest.
The SACOSS report, which is based on the official ABS Household Expenditure Survey data, shows that while telecommunications prices have been decreasing (unlike electricity!), telecommunications expenditure has increased with higher demand as government, businesses and culture...
FACT SHEETS
The following fact sheets provide information on telecommunication costs for specific SA electorates within the regions that they sit.
All of Regional SA
Fact Sheet
As children across South Australia return to school, many low income families will be struggling with the costs involved – even in our "free" public schools.
The ASG organisation, which is the largest provider of education scholarship plans in Australia, provides a handy education costs calculator and based on its own survey data. It estimates that getting back to school in Adelaide could cost on average $2,856 per primary school child per year and $4,865 for a secondary school student in public schools. It is obviously a lot more in faith-based and private...
Our 3-point plan for a health turnaround through prevention and promotion
With South Australians sicker than ever, our public health consortium has launched a 3-point plan to restore our position as a leader in community health, and to boost our longevity, health outcomes and quality of life.
In the lead-up to the South Australian election in March, the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) has joined forces with the Public Health Association Australia (PHAA), the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA), Anti-Poverty Network SA and the People’s...
