annual report 08-09 - Public Interest Advocacy Centre

groups and to overcome barriers to their engagement in health care
decisions.
Not-for-profit accountability: Submission to the Inquiry
into the disclosure regimes for charities and not-for-profit
organisations (10 September 2008)
PIAC believes in the need for all not-for-profit organisations to
be accountable to the government and the community. In its
submission, PIAC argued that what is needed is better and more
targeted regulation rather than more regulation.
Submission to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green
Paper (10 September 2008)
PIAC raised concern about the impact of the Carbon Pollution
Reduction Scheme on low-income households, with a particular focus
on the effects of rising energy bills on consumers facing hardship.
PAIC argued for compensation and protection based on energy
efficiency through measures such as in-home insulation, energy
audits and the replacement of inefficient appliances.
Negating the proposition that law reform agencies are the
best vehicle for law reform (12 September 2008)
In this presentation to the 2008 Australiasian Law Reform Agencies
Conference, Robin Banks argued that there are a range of individuals
and organisations that work to achieve effective law reform. Each has
a role to play; some being more prominent that others depending
on the circumstances. Collaboration between the various players and
recognition of the important role each has to play is vital to meeting
the challenge and achieving the promise of law reform.
A positive start ... but still more work to do. Homeless
Persons’ Legal Service submission in response to the
NSW Government’s Homelessness Strategic Framework
Consultation Paper (23 September 2008)
This submission responds to the NSW Government’s Homelessness
Strategic Framework Draft Consultation Paper. In it, HPLS commented
on a number of the Government’s proposed strategic directions for
the framework including prevention and early untervention and
longer term accommodation and community support.
Airport security - ensuring equality and dignity for people
with disability. Submission to the Aviation Security Screening
Review (25 September 2008)
In September 2008, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport,
Regional Development and Local Government invited input into
the Aviation Security Screening Review. PIAC joined with the NSW
Disability Discrimination Legal Centre to respond to issues relevant to
people with disability. The main issues canvassed in the submission
are the need for consistent practices between and within airports in
Australia, the need to security officers to be trained and equipped
to process passengers with special needs and adoption of effective
complaint processes
Implications of government funding of advocacy for thirdsector
independence and exploration of alternative advocacy
funding models (Summer 2008)
This paper examines the effect of funding contracts on the capacity
of third-sector organisations to effectively advocate. The relationship
is not simple or obvious, with some organisations reporting ‘mature
relationships’ with particular (state) departments, and others
reporting difficulty with state or federal government jurisdictions.
The paper concludes with an exploration of alternative institutional
arrangements for the resourcing of advocacy including the
establishment of a Public Interest Fund.
Central Coast water prices: Submission to IPART review of
prices for water, wastewater and stormwater services for
Gosford City Council and Wyong Shire Council
(10 October 2008)
PIAC in its submission to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory
47
PUBLIC INTEREST ADVOCACY CENTRE • ANNUAL REPORT 2008-2009