News & Events - 2009 

FaHCSIA Sustainability Report for 2008-2009

The Government announces a new group to provide advice on the Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) Program.

The Evaluation of income management in the Northern Territory report released.

Homelessness Research Applications due date extended until 20 January 2010.

Social Policy Research Paper No. 38, Young carers in Australia: understanding the advantages and disadvantages of their care giving, has been released.

Support for the establishment of a new national representative body announced

Release of the Coordinator General for Remote Indigenous Services Six Monthly Report

A year of achievements for people with disability and their carers

Australia was represented at the High Level Meeting on Gender Equality held in Bangkok from 16-18 November.

On 23 November 2009 the government announced that as part of the National Disability Strategy, the Productivity Commission has been commissioned to undertake a feasibility study into long term care and support for people with disability in Australia.

The National Homelessness Research Agenda 2009-13 released.

The FaHCSIA Annual Report for 2008-2009 has been released

FaHCSIA's Research and Analysis Branch is now calling for papers to include in the next issue

Funding round for the National Women’s Alliances is now open for submission.

On 26 October 2009, the Government tabled its response to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth Inquiry into Better Support for Carers.

This report presents the results of a consultation conducted by the Australian National Council on Drugs (ANCD).

A Social Security Agreement between Australia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has been signed

A new social security agreement with the Czech Republic

Funding in Mt Isa area is available for a service to provide individual advocacy.

State and territory programs that enable eligible people with disability to participate at venues and activities without incurring the cost of a second ticket for their attendant carer.

EOWA Review - Survey for Employees

Australian Delegation to the 54th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (Beijing +15)

The online forum for the development of the National Compact is now closed.

Preliminary report on the Impact on Families of the Economic Downturn

New national website offering counselling, information and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This information pack contains information on the interested persons register.

A new publication provides older Australians and their families with practical advice and options relating to a large range of issues concerning accommodation choices.

The online forum for the national compact ran from 3 August to 30 September 2009.

Seeking Expressions of Interest in future Ministerial appointments to Portfolio Bodies

A Fact Sheet highlighting the Australian and Queensland Governments' efforts to reduce homelessness is now available.

Improves opportunities for people with disability

The Strategy aims to address the barriers that are faced by people with a disability and/or mental illness

Alice Springs Transformation Plan (ASTP) News Item Page

Issues paper released – Review of the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Act 1999

Launch of the report for establishment of a new National Representative Body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Findings of the National Disability Strategy public consultations

Expressions of Interest are now open for the positions of Committee Members of the International Repatriation Advisory Committee.

A statistical overview covering income support customers, and payments offered through the Australian Government.

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth will hold an inquiry into homelessness legislation.

The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) has released its third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Edition 1 has been released

Occasional Papers 23, 24, 25 and 26 have been released.

For carers looking after a child with a severe disability or medical condition under the age of 16

A Whole of Government Strategy to Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Portfolio Statements and Publications released as part of the Federal Budget 2009-10

News page about the Australian Disability Enterprises Excellence Awards 2009

The Family Support Program Consultation Process Commences

The report comprehensively examines the challenges faced by carers and their families

Minister Macklin has announced the renewal of contracts with the current service providers of the Family Relationship Services for Carers for a further twelve months

Measures have been introduced to make Special Disability Trusts more attractive to families and potential trust beneficiaries

National Families Week 2009 will be celebrated from 10-16 May

Register now for the Indigenous Leadership Program 2009-2010

The Council of Australian Governments has endorsed the release of the National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children.

The report makes recommendations that tackle unacceptable levels of sexual assault and domestic and family violence in Australia.

A new website has been launched to make purchasing from Australian Disability Enterprises (ADE) quick and easy

Projects may include strategies to increase membership, improve communication and/or enhance service delivery for marginalised groups of women.

The new and improved website for the Department offers updated design and navigation of the website, based on what you have told us

As part of the celebrations for International Day of People with Disability, nominations for the 2009 National Disability Awards are now open

On 2 April 2009, Minister Macklin launched the new Financial Management Program at the ACOSS conference.

On 1 April the Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services announced the agencies selected to receive extra funding within the National Disability Advocacy Program

The National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children has presented an advance copy of Time for Action: The National Council's Plan for Australia to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2009-2021

The 2008 report focuses on projections of underlying demand and of land and housing supply over 20 years from 2008 to 2028, the gap between housing demand and supply, influences on supply and demand, as well as the need for research

On 3 February 2009, in response to the global recession, the Government announced a $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan to support jobs and invest in future long term economic growth

On 25 February 2009, it was announced that a further 39 non-government organisations have been funded to assist people with severe mental illness in 79 sites across Australia.

The revamped Policy is to facilitate the Commonwealth's commitment to increase the supply of housing, improve community amenity and assist in the creation of jobs.

On 26 February 2009 the Prime Minister made his first annual statement to Parliament on the Australian Government's Closing the Gap strategy

In February a nation-wide survey on community attitudes to safety and well-being will begin.

The Family Support Program is an initiative designed to improve outcomes for children and families by improving the Australian Governments ability to provide services to them

The Minister for the Status of Women has approved a request from the National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children for an extension of time for the Council to finalise its National Plan of Action

A priority area over the next five years is to improve living conditions in 73 remote Indigenous communities across the Northern Territory through the $813 million New Remote Housing System

The initiative offers support for projects that will build the leadership and representative capacity of women in primary industries, helping them face challenges and take advantage of opportunities resulting from a changing climate