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<h4><a href="/nsw/advocacy/policy-and-research/policy-and-research-archive" title="Policy and Research Archive" class="primary-button-blue">See our archive of Policy and Research, pre-2025</a></h4>

Vinnies NSW Policy and Research

Policy and Research

<h3><a href="/media/lkjhclae/260721-feedback-to-nsw-dcceew-draft-social-programs-for-energy-core-programs-code.pdf" title="260721 Feedback To NSW DCCEEW Draft Social Programs For Energy (Core Programs) Code" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Feedback on Draft Social Programs for Energy (Core&nbsp;Programs) Code</a></h3>
<p><strong>21 July 2026</strong></p>
<p>St Vincent de Paul Society NSW (SVDP NSW) welcome the opportunity to jointly respond to the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (‘the&nbsp;Department’) consultation on the Social Programs for Energy (Core Programs) Code (‘the Code’).</p>
<p>The NSW Social Programs for Energy Code is central mechanism for ensuring energy services&nbsp;remain affordable for NSW households. It is a particularly critical enabler, ensuring people on low&nbsp;incomes and those experiencing disadvantage can maintain access to the energy they need on&nbsp;affordable terms, supported by timely and reliable assistance.</p>

Rich Text

<h3><a href="/media/o3fhyllz/svdp-nsw-submission-on-minimum-energy-efficiency-rental-standards-final-website.pdf" title="Svdp NSW Submission On Minimum Energy Efficiency Rental Standards FINAL Website" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Submission on Minimum Energy Efficiency Rental Standards</a></h3>
<p><strong>29 May 2026</strong></p>
<p>The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW (the Society NSW) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and NSW Fair Trading’s consultation on Minimum Energy Efficiency Rental Standards (MEERS). The Society NSW strongly supports the introduction of MEERS. It will directly improve the health, safety and comfort of the lives of the people we assist who are disadvantaged, marginalised and vulnerable, help keep energy bills as low as possible and achieve net zero emissions.</p>

<h3><a href="/media/3fcprafc/260413-submission-to-spec-final-joint.pdf" title="260413 Submission To SPEC Final Joint" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Submission to proposed amendments to the NSW Social Programs for Energy Code</a></h3>
<p><strong>13 April 2026</strong></p>
<p>The Justice and Equity Centre (JEC), Financial Counsellors Association of NSW (FCAN) , Ethnic Communities Council NSW (ECC), St Vincent de Paul Society NSW (SVDP NSW) and Council on the Ageing (COTA NSW) welcome the opportunity to respond to the proposed amendments to the NSW Social Programs for Energy (SPE) Code.</p>
<p>Our organisations supports a number of the proposed changes in v8.4, particularly those expanding information provision and strengthening requirements around Energy Accounts Payment assistance (EAPA) and protections during EAPA assessment periods.</p>
<p>However, we strongly disagree with changes relating to suspicion of fraud and detail extensive issues with the proposed approach. We also consider further targeted amendments are necessary elsewhere to ensure the Code delivers its intended outcomes in practice and does not inadvertently create new barriers in access to, or continuity of assistance.</p>

<h3><a href="/media/hmdgcemg/26-02-02-sub-to-nsw-dcceew-retail-electricity-tariff-reforms.pdf" title="26 02 02 Sub To NSW DCCEEW Retail Electricity Tariff Reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NSW Retail Electricity Tariff Reforms</a></h3>
<p><strong>2 February 2026</strong></p>
<p>The Justice and Equity Centre (JEC), Council on the Ageing (COTA) NSW, and St Vincent de Paul Society NSW (Vinnies NSW) welcome the opportunity to respond to the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’ (DCCEEW) Retail electricity tariff reforms consultation paper.</p>
<p>Our organisations welcome the NSW Government’s commitment to “boosting consumer rights and protections” through its Consumer Energy Strategy. We consider retail electricity tariff and pricing reform a key part of this agenda.</p>

<h3><a href="/media/wutk45of/st-vincent-de-paul-society-nsw-pbs-26-27.pdf" title="St Vincent De Paul Society NSW PBS 26 27" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Serving our communities now and for the future - NSW 2026-27 Pre Budget Submission</a></h3>
<p><strong>January 2026</strong></p>
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<p>The 2026 NSW Budget is an opportunity to strengthen&nbsp;essential services, remove access barriers, and invest in community organisations that deliver&nbsp;support efficiently and compassionately. Organisations like the Society NSW provide these supports&nbsp;more efficiently and at lower cost than government services, therefore offering cost savings over time. Our recommendations do not call for new or experimental programs. They build on existing, effective&nbsp;NSW Government initiatives and aim to make them work better for the people who need them most.</p>
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<h3><a href="/media/y3ljj1n4/251212-joint-community-submission-to-nsw-social-programs-for-energy.pdf" title="251212 Joint Community Submission To NSW Social Programs For Energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Submission to NSW Social&nbsp;Programs for Energy consultation</a></h3>
<p><strong>12 December 2025</strong></p>
<p>The Justice and Equity Centre (JEC), Council on the Ageing NSW, Ethnic Communities Council of NSW, Financial Counsellors’ Association of NSW, NSW Council of Social Service, the Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN), Sydney Community Forum, Tenants’ Union of NSW and St Vincent de Paul Society NSW welcome the opportunity to respond to the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s (DCCEEW) consultation of the Social Programs for Energy (Core Programs) Code (the Code).</p>

<h3><a href="/media/k5lpynx2/52-st-vincent-de-paul-society-nsw-qld.pdf" title="52 St Vincent De Paul Society NSW &amp; QLD">Health Impacts of AOD in Australia - St Vincent de Paul Society NSW and QLD Submission</a></h3>
<p><strong>28 November 2025</strong></p>
<p>St Vincent de Paul Society NSW (Society NSW) and St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland (Society QLD)<br>welcome the opportunity to make a submission to the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and<br>Disability Committee’s Inquiry on the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) in Australia (the<br>Inquiry). All people residing in Australia should be treated with dignity, afforded the same human rights, and<br>granted access to help when needed, including if they experience AOD use or dependence.</p>

<h3><a href="/media/s5kd0nji/equitable-transition-final.pdf" title="Equitable Transition (Final)" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Equitable Transition: How the NSW Government Can Better Support Lower Income Households Challenged by Energy Prices</a></h3>
<p><strong>November 2025</strong></p>
<p>Making energy rebates more targeted and hardship and crisis supports easier to access is critical to ensuring that no household is left behind in the transition to net zero. Complementary to this is improving the energy efficiency of households that are least able to achieve this.</p>

<h3><a href="/media/pt0d4n50/250826-svdp-nsw-mental-health-and-wellbeing-strategy-submission.pdf" title="250826 SVDP NSW Mental Health And Wellbeing Strategy Submission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A new Strategy for Mental Health and Wellbeing in NSW</a></h3>
<p><strong>26 August 2025</strong></p>
<p>The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW (Society NSW) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission on a new Strategy for Mental Health and Wellbeing in NSW. A significant proportion of the people we assist are affected by mental health concerns and this submission is informed by the work of our frontline staff from homelessness, health, disability and inclusion services, as well as the support delivered by members and volunteers to people experiencing hardship</p>

<h3><a href="/media/eq1d2i1r/250815-joint-letter-to-energy-minister-re-energy-rebates.pdf" title="250815 Joint Letter To Energy Minister Re Energy Rebates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joint Letter to Energy Minister - Ensuring NSW energy rebates effectively support affordability</a></h3>
<p><strong>15 August 2025</strong></p>
<p>Our organisations are concerned about recent decisions to reduce energy rebate amounts and reduce the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) cap supporting energy affordability for NSW households. While we understand the NSW Government budget must respond to a range of priorities, effective support for household energy affordability is particularly critical at this time.</p>

<h3 class="news-item-heading node-heading col-md-12"><a href="/media/yu4i34tw/250814-joint-submission-improving-application-of-concessions-to-bills-draft-determination.pdf" title="250814 Joint Submission Improving Application Of Concessions To Bills Draft Determination" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joint Submission Improving application of concessions to bills draft determination</a></h3>
<p><strong>14 August 2025</strong></p>
<p>The Justice and Equity Centre, Australian Council of Social Service, ACT Council of Social Service, Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association, Ethnic Communities Council of NSW, Financial Counsellors Association of NSW, People with Disability Australia, Queensland Council of Social Service, South Australian Council of Social Service and St Vincent de Paul Society NSW welcome the opportunity to respond to the AEMC’s Draft Determination on Improving the application of concessions to bills.</p>

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<h3 class="news-item-title"><a href="https://www.tenants.org.au/news/joint-statement-renovictions#:~:text=Joint%20statement%3A%20Reinstate%20evidence%20requirements%20for%20evictions%20due%20to%20repairs%20or%20renovations,-19%2F07%2F2025&amp;text=The%20NSW%20Government%20must%20commit,in%20the%20tenancy%20reform%20process." target="_blank" data-anchor="#:~:text=Joint%20statement%3A%20Reinstate%20evidence%20requirements%20for%20evictions%20due%20to%20repairs%20or%20renovations,-19%2F07%2F2025&amp;text=The%20NSW%20Government%20must%20commit,in%20the%20tenancy%20reform%20process." rel="noopener">Joint statement: Reinstate evidence requirements for evictions due to repairs or renovations</a></h3>
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<p><strong>July 2025</strong></p>
<p>The NSW Government must commit to reinstate the evidence requirements for landlords seeking to evict a tenant due to significant repairs or renovations, and restore trust in the tenancy reform process. The signatories to this statement, including the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, are very concerned that the NSW government removed the additional evidence requirements without further consultation less than 5 weeks after implementing the important reforms to evictions. </p>

<h3><a href="/media/eyshr40m/letter-to-aemc-gas-distribution-network-proposed-rule-changes-10072025-signed.pdf" title="Letter To AEMC Gas Distribution Network Proposed Rule Changes 10072025 Signed">Gas Distribution networks: Connection and permanent abolishment charges</a></h3>
<p><strong>10 July 2025</strong></p>
<p>The Society NSW welcomes the opportunity to provide a short submission a) supporting the Energy Consumer Australia’s proposal for charging customers upfront for a new gas connection and b) establishing a regulatory framework for temporary disconnections and permanent abolishment. </p>

<h3><a href="/media/rueknowa/250731-joint-submission-on-better-offer-draft-determination.pdf" title="250731 Joint Submission On Better Offer Draft Determination" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joint submission on Improving the ability to switch to a better offer: Draft Determination</a></h3>
<p><strong>July 2025</strong></p>
<p>The Justice and Equity Centre led a joint consumer and community response to the AEMC’s Draft Determination for the Improving the ability to switch to a better offer rule change. The submission was co-signed by the ACT Council of Social Service, Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association, the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW, Financial Counsellors’ Association of NSW, People with Disability Australia and the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.</p>

<h3><a href="/media/f03cpjvc/250707-joint-submission-to-the-aer-exemptions-framework-additional-consultation.pdf" title="250707 Joint Submission To The AER Exemptions Framework, Additional Consultation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joint submission to the AER Exemptions framework, additional consultation</a></h3>
<p><strong>7 July 2025</strong></p>
<p>St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, Sydney Community Forum, Tenants’ Union of NSW (TUNSW) and Uniting Vic Tas welcome the opportunity to make a submission to the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) Review of the exemptions framework for embedded networks’. This joint submission aims to ensure changes to energy rules strengthens consumer energy protections for people who live in what are known as ‘embedded networks’. Embedded networks are electricity systems where a landlord/owner (a private network) has a direct contractual relationship with an energy retailer and on-sells electricity to customers, who pay an estimated bill to the landlord (e.g. includes caravan parks, apartments, strata, retirement villages). Embedded network customers do not have the same consumer protections as direct customers. The changes proposed form <a href="https://www.vinnies.org.au/nsw/advocacy/policy-and-research">part of a suite of changes</a> that will protect and support those in our communities who are most vulnerable to high energy price rises and the transition to renewable energy.”</p>

<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;"><a href="/media/p1ahqthp/a-joint-statement-from-leading-nsw-social-service-organisations-nsw-drug-summit.pdf" title="A Joint Statement From Leading NSW Social Service Organisations NSW Drug Summit">‘Drug Summit consensus was clear – we need the NSW Government to implement its recommendations’: A Joint Statement from leading NSW social service organisations</a></h3>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>30 June 2025</strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A joint statement from St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, Uniting NSW.ACT, The Salvation Army, Wesley Mission, Wayside Chapel and NCOSS calling on the NSW Government to implement the recommendations of the NSW Drug Summit.</p>

<h3 class="MsoNormal"><a href="/media/yl3jmm4e/letter-to-standing-committee-on-law-and-justice_2025_signed-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Letter to standing committee into proposed reforms to liability and entitlements for psychological injury in New South Wales</a><o:p></o:p></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>May 2025</strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Society NSW acknowledges that the current system was not built to respond to the complexity of psychological injury, and we commend the NSW Government for taking steps to modernise it. At the same time, we must ensure that the reform delivers a fair and workable system—one that supports people experiencing psychological injury, while remaining viable for employers and the broader workers’ compensation scheme.<o:p></o:p></p>

<h3><a href="/media/1anfbfej/250513-joint-submission-on-assisting-hardship-customers.pdf" title="Joint Submission On Assisting Hardship Customers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joint Submission on assisting hardship customers</a></h3>
<p><strong>May 2025</strong></p>
<p>The Society NSW contributed to the Justice and Equity Centre's joint submission, alongside other members, on assisting hardship customers related to the National Energy Retail Amendment. Households experiencing payment difficulty are often materially impacted because they are not on the best available deal from their retailer. We highlight the detailed input and evidence provided in our response to the consultation paper, and reiterate the necessity and urgency of making substantial reform to resolving this issue and improve outcomes for people experiencing energy payment difficulty.</p>

<h3><a href="/media/uyzl25yi/250312-joint-consumer-community-submission-to-the-aemc-improving-the-ability-to-switch-to-a-better-offer-rule-change-consultation-paper.pdf" title="250312 Joint Consumer Community Submission To The AEMC Improving The Ability To Switch To A Better Offer Rule Change Consultation Paper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joint Submission to the AEMC Improving the Ability to Switch to a Better Offer Rule Change Consultation Paper</a></h3>
<p><strong>March 2025</strong></p>
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<p>The Justice and Equity Centre, Australian Council of Social Service, Sydney Community Forum, Consumer Action Legal Centre, People with Disability Australia, Financial Counsellors Association of NSW, Ethnic Communities Council of NSW, Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, Queensland Council of Social Service and Australian Capital Territory Council of Social Service welcome the opportunity to respond to the AEMC’s consultation paper on <em>Improving the ability to switch to a better offer: rule change proposal. </em>We strongly support comprehensive reform to the National Energy Retail Rules (NERR) intended to reshape the retail market and materially improve outcomes for all consumers.</p>
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<h3><a href="/media/tm2pmwfr/250312-joint-consumer-community-submission-to-the-aemc-improving-the-application-of-concessions-to-bills-consultation-paper.pdf" title="250312 Joint Consumer Community Submission To The AEMC Improving The Application Of Concessions To Bills Consultation Paper" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joint Submission to the AEMC Improving the application of concessions to bills consultation paper</a></h3>
<p><strong>March 2025</strong></p>
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<p>The Justice and Equity Centre, Sydney Community Forum, Consumer Action Legal Centre, People with Disability Australia, Financial Counsellors Association of NSW, Ethnic Communities Council of NSW, Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, Queensland Council of Social Service and Australian Capital Territory Council of Social Service welcome the opportunity to respond to the AEMC’s consultation paper on Improving the application of concessions to bills: rule change proposal. We strongly support comprehensive reforms to the National Energy Retail Rules (NERR) intended to reshape the retail market and materially improve outcomes for all consumers.</p>
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<h3><a href="/media/fjzp0jjd/svdp-nsw-modern-slavery-submision-final.pdf" title="SVDP NSW Modern Slavery Submission Final" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Submission to the Modern Slavery Committee Inquiry</a></h3>
<p><strong>February 2025</strong></p>
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<p>St Vincent de Paul Society NSW (the Society NSW) welcomes the opportunity to make a submission to the Modern Slavery Committee’s Inquiry on the modern slavery risks faced by temporary migrant workers in rural and regional New South Wales (the Inquiry). All people residing in Australia should be treated with dignity, afforded the same human rights, and granted access to help when needed, especially if they find themselves in unpredictable and precarious situations.</p>
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<h3><a href="/media/r4mjdgri/vinnies-nsw-homelessness-strategy-submission-final.pdf" title="Vinnies NSW Homelessness Strategy Submission FINAL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Submission on the NSW Homelessness Strategy &amp; Action Plan</a></h3>
<p><strong>February 2025</strong></p>
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<p>The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW welcomes the opportunity to provide comment on the NSW Government’s NSW Homelessness Strategy 2025-2035 (Strategy) and how best to achieve better outcomes for people at risk of and those experiencing homelessness.</p>
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<h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default"><a href="https://jec.org.au/resources/submission-on-assisting-energy-hardship-customers-rule-change/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><a href="https://jec.org.au/resources/submission-on-assisting-energy-hardship-customers-rule-change/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joint </a><a href="https://jec.org.au/resources/submission-on-assisting-energy-hardship-customers-rule-change/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Submission on Assisting Energy Hardship Customers Rule Change</a></h3>
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<p><strong>January 2025</strong></p>
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<p>The Justice and Equity Centre coordinated a joint consumer and community advocate response to the AEMC’s National Energy Retail Amendment (Assisting Hardship Customers) Rule Change proposal. The submission was co-signed by ACOSS, Vinnies NSW, Sydney Community Forum and the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW. The proposed rule change seeks to find a solution to the problem that many customers in energy hardship program are not on the deemed best offer of their retailer, resulting in customers paying more than is necessary and often accumulating more debt than is necessary.</p>
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