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Download a .pdf of SPC News.


Medical staff examine a child for signs of malnourishment in DRC. UK Department for International Development. flickr cc.

Wake up, Australia: many people need our aid urgently

Bruce Duncan

The Australian Head of Advocacy for Caritas, Negaya Chorley, lamented in May that Australia’s continual slashing of overseas aid undermines global efforts to reduce hunger and poverty and promote the Sustainable Development Goals’ social and political objectives. Australia is reneging on its commitment to support the 2030 Agenda of the UN to deal with the effects of climate change and reduce global inequality. These goals are absolutely vital if the world is to avoid the worst outcomes of global warming.


The Yarra Institute for Religion & Social Policy, in association with Social Policy Connections, presents the launch of

 

Dr Tony Ward’s book

Bridging Troubled Waters: Australia & Asylum Seekers

With Mr Russell Broadbent MP

Member for McMillan

Thursday 21 September 2017
5:30 for 6-7pm

Followed by drinks and light supper

Multicultural Hub 506 Elizabeth Street Melbourne
Opposite Queen Victoria Market, corner Therry & Elizabeth Streets. Large carparks nearby and metered parking in surrounding streets.

Bookings essential b.duncan@ytu.edu.au 0409 897 97. Download the flyer.


New budget standards show just how inadequate the Newstart Allowance has become

Peter Saunders UNSW
From The Conversation

It has long been accepted that the level of Newstart Allowance for the unemployed is too low. The Henry Tax Review proposed an increase of “about $50 a week” in the single person’s payment to restore parity with the couples’ rate. Several community organisations, including the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), have called for similar changes over time.

But, if the couple rate is also too low, this would reduce—not remove—the underlying inadequacy.

Our new research allows these and other income inadequacies to be estimated using a budget standards approach – that is, by calculating how much income a family needs in order to achieve a certain standard of living.


Towards an Economy of Communion
Lawrence Chong, Consulus CEO

Tony French

Leading Singapore-based CEO of Consulus consulting firm, Lawrence Chong, spoke At SPC’s 23 August Forum on business practices promoted by the Economy of Communion, a worldwide network of over 800 companies linking business with community needs.

We “want to link faith with business”, said Lawrence Chong, participant in and advocate of the Economy of Communion Movement (EoC. The idea is that business should not be the single-minded pursuit of profit, nor consumption with purpose on the part of its well-paid executives, but instead a real social enterprise with the purpose of creating mutual benefit for its members, its community, and the environment. And, yes, it can make a profit.

A business becomes a collection of ethical individuals with a shared purpose when they agree there should be reduced casualties of capitalism.  A company can be a good corporate citizen.


Praying at Arafat. Al Jazeera English. flickr cc.

When will Saudi Arabia be brought to account for its
malign influence & promotion
of terrorism?

John Menadue

Through its support of extremist Wahhabism, the Saudi government has been promiting radical Islam around the world. Its  influence has included funding schools, universities, and mosques in over 80 countries. But, like the issue of the burqa, few Australians want to discuss the highly dangerous activities of the Saudi government.

Drawing on previous posts in John Menadue’s blog, Pearls & Irritations, John Tulloh and Peter Rodgers consider some facts about Wahhabism and the Saudi government.


Korea-North/China. Vietnam Mobiography. flickr cc.

Australia’s engagement with Asia & the world has fallen on hard times

Joseph A Camilleri

Australia continues with its interventionist deployments at the side of the United States, primarily in the Muslim world, even though these interventions have proved unwinnable, and have exacted tragic cost in human lives and social, cultural, and economic infrastructure. At the same time, we seek the help—hypocritically—of our Muslim communities and the Muslim world to stem the tide of Islamist terrorism, even though it is US-led interventionism and the financial backing of Saudi Arabia, America’s privileged ally in the Arab world, which have done much to fuel the terrorist scourge.


SPC Video Selection

Lawrence Chong on YouTube

 

 

 

David McLaughlin introducing
Lawrence Chong at SPC’s forum

 

 

 

 

 


 

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