Media Release - Catholic Social Services Australia's Goals for the 20-20 Summit

Catholic Social Services Australia Executive Director, Frank Quinlan, says stronger families and more cohesive communities should be the focus for the 2020 Summit this weekend.

Speaking ahead of the Federal Government's Summit, Mr Quinlan put forward three goals for consideration.

"Firstly, we must develop anti-poverty targets for 2020 if the Government's Social Inclusion Agenda is to have real meaning for our most disadvantaged citizens," Mr Quinlan said.

"Secondly, we have to take the politics out of the welfare system. An Independent Entitlements Commission should be established to ensure the level of pensions and entitlements is always sufficient to meet people's most basic needs - regardless of their political power.

"The establishment of such a Commission would take the politics out of pensions and entitlements in the same way, the Reserve Bank of Australia takes the politics out of interest rates, the Fair Pay Commission takes the politics out of the minimum wage, and the Remuneration Tribunal takes the politics out of setting politicians salaries.

"Pensions and entitlements must reflect the actual cost of living and allow people to participate in a modest way in their local community. Pensions and entitlements should be based on good evidence, not political debate.

"The current system is full of anomalies born of random payments and bonuses that arise more out of political circumstances than out of good social policy.

"Thirdly, the Summit must make plans to build a strong, vibrant, high quality community sector for the future.

"The community sector currently provides essential services to the community, but it is being overwhelmed with red tape and bureaucracy. When resources are scarce, these layers of bureaucracy are robbing clients of the services they need.

"Issues for consideration include a workforce strategy to address chronic shortages of qualified staff. Streamlining performance measures and funding are also essential. A creative approach to partnerships between governments and the community sector is also long overdue," Mr Quinlan said.

Catholic Social Services Australia provides social services to over a million Australians each year through its 64 member agencies in remote, regional and metropolitan Australia.

18 April 2008

CONTACT: Judith Tokley 0408 824 306 / 02 6285 1366