After the shouting, back to business

by Anne Tuohey

After a tumultuous week in Federal politics, the Prime Minister rightly suggested that she and the Australian people were tired of the distractions, and wanted their government to resume governing. It is now – we hope – back to business.

The Gillard Government has a packed agenda, and it has been slow-moving given the constraints of governing with a very slim majority. There is much needing to be progressed in critical areas of social need. There may be a short catch-up required due to the reshuffle as several new frontbenchers hone their knowledge in new portfolios. There is, however, a discernible air of steely purpose as the Government stares down the real possibility of defeat at the next election.

To read the complete article, click HERE.

Photo:Parliament House by kim77_au, Flickr cc

Working families, social inclusion, and fair wages

Moving beyond rhetoric

Presented by: Mr Brian Lawrence

Wednesday 14 March at 7:30pm

Study Centre, Yarra Theological Union,

98 Albion Rd., Box Hill.

Best entry via 34 Bedford St.

Click HERE for directions.

Contact SPC: 0432 991 085,

admin@socialpolicyconnections.com.au;

Brian Lawrence is Chairman of the Australian Catholic Council for Employment Relations, and has devoted much of his career to advocating for adequate wages for low-income earners.

Brian will explore the barriers that have denied many low-wage earners the right to a just and decent wage. Regrettably, over the last decade, calls for specific measures to set a fair minimum wage in relation to living costs have largely fallen on deaf ears. Brian will illustrate how :

• Safety-net wages have neither kept up with price increases, nor been based on the actual cost of living
• Most safety-net workers have suffered real wage cuts
• Tax cuts and other government transfers are skewed in favour of other than low-paid workers.

Japan’s nuclear nightmares

By Bruce Duncan

The world was transfixed by the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan after it was hit on 11 March last year by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and 14-metre tsunami, destroying the plant’s cooling systems.

The situation became so dire in following days that the president of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) reportedly wanted all its 600 staff to abandon the Fukushima plant. This would have resulted in a much larger disaster, according to a new study by the private Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation.

To read the complete article, click HERE.

Photo 2011_10_190040d by Gwydion M Williams, Flickr cc

The Yarra Institute has copies available of Geoff Lacey’s book

“Something new and important to say about the roots of the environmental crisis and the way forward.” Paul Mees.

$20 plus postage. Click HERE to download an Order Form or contact admin@socialpolicyconnections.com.au

| 03 9899 4777 | PO Box 505 Box Hill 3028 Victoria.

Social Policy Connections is pleased to present you with its new Facebook page.

This page will contain up to date articles, videos, photos, and information on upcoming events.

The page is located at https://www.facebook.com/socialpolicyconnections .  If you have a Facebook account, please consider clicking the “like“button located on this page.