St Vincent de Paul Society National Media Releases
For media enquiries on all issues of national significance, please contact 0475 068 209 or media@svdp.org.au for more information.
Click here for previous National Media Releases.
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Vinnies National President to join church reform discussion panel
Claire Victory will join other prominent Catholics talking about urgently needed change in the Church in the lead up to final assembly of the Plenary Council.
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5th World Day of the Poor
The St Vincent de Paul Society repeats its commitment to Catholic Social Teaching principles which are central to the way the Society works and operates.
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Opinion: Poor-blaming lets governments off the hook - Claire Victory
Pru Goward's AFR opinion piece has been widely condemned as offensive, owing to its contempt for lower socio-economic Australians. Claire Victory responds.
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Opinion: Were the good old days in the Catholic Church really that good? - Claire Victory
To heal from the child sex abuse tragedy, the Catholic Church must be more inclusive and go to the people on the margins.
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Food insecurity a reality for many
National Council said food security is a growing issue made worse by the Pandemic and that Vinnies has worked closely with Foodbank to respond to the crisis.
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Vinnies says PNG decision is no solution
National Council has condemned the Federal Government’s decision to end Australia’s resettlement arrangement with PNG.
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Anti Poverty Week 2021
The National Council calls for urgent investment in social housing and more realistic income support in the face of escalating family and domestic violence.
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Charities will step in to help thousands as Government plans cuts to COVID support
The Federal Government’s decision to cut COVID-19 funding once vaccination levels have been reached exposes highly vulnerable people to more unnecessary risk.
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Feast Day of Saint Vincent de Paul
This year as we celebrate the extraordinary contribution of Saint Vincent de Paul it is worth reflecting on what his vision means for us in Australia in 2021.
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World Day of Migrants and Refugees and Our Response to the Afghanistan Crisis
On World Day of Migrants and Refugees, the National Council celebrates the significant contribution of migrants and refugees to the Australian community
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Independent authority must develop national housing strategy
National Council said only a national housing strategy developed by a new, independent authority will begin to address the growing shortage of affordable housing.
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Speech: World Day of Migrants and Refugees and Our Response to the Afghanistan Crisis
Sunday 26 September is the Catholic Church’s 107th, World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Tim McKenna is Chair of the Vincentian Refugee Network.
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Vinnies and the Salvos join forces on climate change
Prevention and early intervention, and people on low incomes must be a priority when developing the National Climate Resilience and Adaptation Strategy.
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Vinnies welcomes report on refugee experiences
Refugees have contributed greatly to the social and cultural fabric of Australia for decades. This report further shows the benefits of accepting refugees...
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'Church' is living and working with the poor
Launching 'A Church for All' the National President said the Church must strive to be more representative of the entire community it seeks to serve.
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SPEECH: Book Launch: A Church for all - A guide to the Plenary Council and Beyond
National President Claire Victory said, launching this book gives me hope for the church I love. Its dense with wisdom, insight and prophetic observations.
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Feast Day of Blessed Frederic Ozanam
National President said this year as we celebrate we are especially mindful of the call to walk even more closely with companions in the face of the pandemic
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National Women's Safety Summit
National Council says entrenched, long-term structural changes in housing and income support are essential to improve the safety women and children
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Homeless report is a blueprint for action
The National Council welcomes the Federal Parliament’s Housing and Homelessness report, noting most of the recommendations align with the NC position.
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Catholics for Refugees: Catholics unite to call for action from Scott Morrison
As the nation looks on at the unfolding horror for millions of Afghan people, Catholics for Refugees have joined with the Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) and Bishop Vincent Long, chair of the Bishops...
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TRANSCRIPT: Charities say rule changes will stifle advocacy - ABC Radio Sydney
AFR full-page ad is part of an ongoing campaign from charities across the nation, about proposed changes to charitable status. Toby oConnor
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Transforming food systems for the health of the planet
On International Youth Day the Society in Australia reflects on environmental challenges and the contribution of young Vincentians on this enduring issue.
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Vinnies National President to participate in Catholic Church's historic Plenary Council
National Council President and Plenary Council Member, Claire Victory, said the historic church meeting must lead to an urgent recasting of church leadership and governance
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OPINION: The Face of Homelessness in Australia is Changing
As house prices soar and wages stagnate, the housing affordability crisis is creeping towards middle Australia.
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TRANSCRIPT: Homelessness Week - ABC NewsRadio
National Homelessness Week has kicked off at a time when soaring house prices continue to put ownership out of the reach of many Australians - Claire Victory
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The Face of Homelessness in Australia is Changing – National Homelessness Week 1-7 August 2021
August 1, 2021: This year in National Homelessness Week, the National Council of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia said the Federal Government must intervene as a matter of urgency as house prices soar, wages stagnate and the housing...
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PNG Bishops call for freedom for Manus and Nauru detainees
July 20, 2021: The National Council supports the PNG Bishops’ call for Australia to legislate for the freedom and resettlement of detainees on Manus Island and Nauru.
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NAIDOC Week: Heal Country!
The National Council celebrates NAIDOC Week by strengthening its call for a referendum to enshrine a National Voice in the Australian Constitution.
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St Vincent de Paul International Youth Day - Celebrating Joy
Young people's enthusiasm, adaptability and creative imagination continue to reflect the Society’s original charism, while enhancing its mission and dynamism.
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Vinnies calls for humane policies for asylum seekers and new migrants
June 23, 2021: The National Council of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia has called for the Federal Government to mark Refugee Week by showing compassion to Priya and Nades Murugappan and their Australian-born daughters Kopika, 6, and...
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National Reconciliation Week 27 May-3 June 2021: More than a word – Reconciliation takes action
May 27, 2021: The National Council of the St Vincent de Society is marking National Reconciliation Week by reiterating its support for a National Indigenous Voice to parliament enshrined in The Constitution. National Council President Claire Victory...
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Young People rise to volunteering challenges nationally
National Council celebrates its 60,000 members who are the backbone of the Society, but especially the 28,500 volunteers under the age of 40.
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Vinnies welcomes support for social housing in budget reply
14 May 2021 The National Council of the St Vincent de Paul Society applauds Labor’s commitment to a $10 billion investment in social housing announced in the Federal Budget Reply. Speaking shortly after the speech, National President Claire...
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Federal Budget targets crucial social policy areas but invests nothing in social housing
The National Council welcomes the Federal Government’s investment in essential social services but many people who use the Society's services have missed out
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Growing inequality will continue despite Federal Budget spending
A coalition of some of the country’s largest social service providers welcomes important spending measures but says the 2021 Federal Budget fails to address growing inequality in Australia.
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National Indigenous Voice must be enshrined in the Constitution
5 May 2021 The National Council of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia calls for a National Voice to be enshrined in the Australian Constitution as part of its response to the Indigenous Voice Co-Design Interim Report to the Australian...
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Vinnies launches 2021 Winter Appeal to support homelessness
Vinnies has launched its Winter Appeal amidst growing demand for services in the face of historically low wages, cuts to income support and rising housing costs
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Vinnies joins calls for Federal Government action to end youth homelessness crisis
21 April 2021 Vinnies is joining a coalition of organisations in the Everybody’s Home campaign in calling on the Federal Government to fix the broken housing system, as a chronic shortage of affordable housing contributes to record levels of...
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National Youth Week 16-24 April 2021 - Growing number of young people getting active in Vinnies
19 April 2021 This year during National Youth Week the National Council of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia celebrates the growing number of younger people who enthusiastically give their time and expertise to help others. National Vice...
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OPINION: New Home Affairs Minister has opportunity for compassion - Eureka Street
Last week I welcomed Minister Andrews to her new Home Affairs portfolio. Her stance on the mistreatment of women suggests she will act on her convictions.
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ANU Report: Local connections invaluable in crisis response
The National has released the ANU's evaluation of the Society's distribution of vital drought funding to thousands of farming households across the country.
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Big opportunities for new Home Affairs Minister
The National Council welcomes the appointment of Karen Andrews to the Home Affairs portfolio, calling on her to release the Sri Lankan family from detention.
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Federal Government’s Jobseeker decision condemns thousands more people to poverty
Vinnies again calls for the establishment of an expert advisory group to advise government on levels of income support, following poor JobSeeker decision.
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Vinnies says drop proposed changes to charity law
National Council said the Federal Govt should drop proposed changes that would undermine advocacy of charities
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Vinnies joins the call for affordable COVID vaccine for developing countries
The National Council has joined the ACTU and others calling for the WTO to waive provisions so poorer countries get access to the COVID-19 vaccine before 2023.
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International Women's Day: Women in leadership
The National Council stands with the international community as we celebrate the achievements of women everywhere on International Women’s Day.
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JobSeeker discussions need to tell the whole story
Commentators play a key role discussing social policy issues on reputable national platforms such as the ABC's Insiders program. But a few more points....
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JobSeeker decision condemns thousands to poverty
The National Council condemned the Federal Government's decision to slash unemployment benefits to barely more than the old Newstart payment.
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Housing report strengthens call for social housing investment
National Council welcomes the release of a survey report which adds weight to calls for significant investment in social housing.
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JobSeeker part of our recovery plan
The National Council again calls on the Federal Government to raise the rate of JobSeeker to a minimum of $50 a day, or $700 per fortnight.
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Fair Work Bill must be put on hold
National Council has called on the Federal Government to put the Fair Work Bill on hold until the Senate reports on underpayment of employees in June.
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Vinnies says no to goods produced using forced labour
National Council calls on Federal Parliament to support a private member's bill which seeks to ban the import of goods produced by Uyghur forced labour.
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Black Summer Bushfires a year on...
A year on from the Black Summer bushfires which ravaged Vinnies National Council said there are lessons to be learned to ensure a more streamlined approach.
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A hand up right now makes good economic sense
National Council calls on the Federal Government to address inadequate Newstart payments and lack of affordable housing in the 2020-2021 Federal Budget.
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Releasing refugees from detention is a start but more needs to be done
The St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia welcomes the Federal Government’s recent decision to release 58 refugees (previously medically transferred to Australia) held indefinitely in detention centres and hotels in...
