The most important thing we can do to safeguard children and vulnerable people is invest in leadership, governance and culture, writes Ursula Stephens.
Safeguarding is a sacred duty
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Category Archives: Public Policy
Church backs national working with children checks
The chair of the Bishops Commission for Professional Standards and Safeguarding, Bishop Greg Bennet, has written to Attorney-General Michelle Rowland in support of a national approach to working with children and vulnerable people checks.
The letter reiterates the position of the bishops held for over a decade, since the hearings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, but comes as attorneys-general from across Australia consider ways to improve the checking system.
Minimum wage rise needed to keep Australians out of poverty
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has argued for a 4.5 per cent rise in the national minimum wage.
Catholics have vital role in shaping Australia’s future
Australia’s Catholic bishops say the federal election is an opportunity to bring hope where hope has been lost, especially for the vulnerable and disadvantaged.
New bishop for Diocese of Bunbury
Pope Francis has this evening appointed Perth-based priest, Fr George Kolodziej SDS, to be the fifth Bishop of Bunbury.
Three conferences join forces to revise Lectionary
The bishops’ conferences of Australia, Ireland and New Zealand are pooling their expertise and resources in a joint Lectionary project.
Tim Norton installed as third Bishop of Broome
Australia’s Catholic bishops have welcomed the installation of the Most Reverend Tim Norton SVD as the third Bishop of Broome.
Church to mark International Day of People with Disability
The Catholic Church in Australia is committed to upholding and protecting the dignity and wellbeing of all people with disabilities.
Statement from the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education: Federal Government Funding Proposals
The Bishops Commission for Catholic Education, speaking on behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, has expressed concern at some elements of the Federal Government’s budget announcement regarding Catholic school funding.
As Bishops, we acknowledge the difficult financial situation currently faced by the Government and the nation. We are fully aware of the need for restraint and responsible stewardship of the nation’s resources. We also acknowledge the Government’s recognition, in its funding proposals, of its responsibility to facilitate parental choice in the matter of education. It is this principle that undergirds the now well-established practice of funding a Government education system and a Catholic education system, as well as hundreds of Independent schools.
We are encouraged that the Government has now announced that there will be a minimum funding indexation for all Australian schools in the medium to long term. The Government’s proposed floating indexation rate had been creating uncertainty for schools, school systems and families. Continue reading
Budget 2017: Fairness and compassion should be the cornerstones of our society
Fairness and compassion should be the cornerstones of our society. How we treat our poorest and most vulnerable is a measure of our commitment to a fair and just society.
Today, Archbishop Denis Hart, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference said, the Catholic Bishops welcome the government’s commitment to fully fund the National Disability Insurance Scheme and its housing measures to help people secure more affordable housing.
The Bishops acknowledge the government’s decision to remove earlier measures from the 2014-15 budget that may have affected families and the vulnerable in our society.
For those on the very margins of our society, especially those with no prospect of meaningful work, the budget offers no new hope.
‘A lack of regard for the poor and marginalised alienates them from society rather than allowing them to participate fully within it,’ Archbishop Hart said. Continue reading