Joint COSS submission to the Senate on Social Determinants of ...

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Submission <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Senate</strong> Community Affairs Committee on Australia’s response <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> WHO ‘Closing <strong>the</strong> gap’ reportExecutive SummaryThe Councils of Social Service (<strong>COSS</strong>) believe addressing <strong>the</strong> social determinants ofhealth and reducing inequities will not only improve population health and well-being,but it will also make Australia fairer, more inclusive and sustainable.We believe that implementing a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach in-line with <strong>the</strong>Adelaide Statement 2010 and Rio Declaration 2011 would provide a more systematicbasis for effective action on <strong>the</strong> social determinants of health.National policy and practice must specifically address <strong>the</strong> needs of people whoexperience disadvantage so that we can achieve better health, social and economicoutcomes across <strong>the</strong> board. Although <strong>the</strong>re has been progress in key areas, we believe<strong>the</strong>re remains more <strong>to</strong> be done <strong>to</strong> reduce inequity in Australia.We commend <strong>the</strong> Commonwealth Government for <strong>the</strong>ir social policy agenda and reformcommitments. Initiatives such as <strong>the</strong> National Disability Insurance Scheme andinvestment in oral and mental health provide <strong>the</strong> foundations <strong>to</strong> make Australia a fairersociety. However, <strong>the</strong>se reforms require a clear ‘road-map’ with on-going investment sothat <strong>the</strong>y are fully implemented and deliver real, sustainable change.While Australia has fared comparatively well through <strong>the</strong> global economic downturn,<strong>the</strong>re continues <strong>to</strong> be people experiencing significant poverty and disadvantage. TheA<strong>COSS</strong> Budget Priority Statement 2012-13 outlines <strong>the</strong> key areas of pressing socialneed that must be addressed so all individuals and communities can participate in andbenefit from social and economic life. This includes affordable housing and adequateincome support and employment assistance.The health system itself is also an important determinant and must be re-orientated <strong>to</strong>have a greater focus on primary and community health. The <strong>COSS</strong> approach <strong>to</strong> heal<strong>the</strong>quity and our health policy priorities are outlined in <strong>the</strong> position statement, <strong>COSS</strong>Health Priorities: Equity in access, equity in outcomesFinally, we believe that <strong>the</strong> role of <strong>the</strong> not for profit community sec<strong>to</strong>r in providingassistance <strong>to</strong> vulnerable Australians and contributing <strong>to</strong> national policy making needs <strong>to</strong>be supported and fur<strong>the</strong>r developed. Toge<strong>the</strong>r with government, business and <strong>the</strong>community, we can work <strong>to</strong> improve <strong>the</strong> health and well-being of all Australians.Council of Social Service of NSW (N<strong>COSS</strong>) Page 4 of 31
Submission <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Senate</strong> Community Affairs Committee on Australia’s response <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> WHO ‘Closing <strong>the</strong> gap’ reportList of recommendations(a) Government's response <strong>to</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r relevant WHO reports and declarationsWe recommend that:1. The Commonwealth Government formally responds <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> 2011 Rio Declarationand identifies how it is or how it plans <strong>to</strong> implement <strong>the</strong> actions <strong>to</strong> address healthinequities.2. There is independent moni<strong>to</strong>ring and reporting on <strong>the</strong> Government’s progress on<strong>the</strong> Rio Declaration and o<strong>the</strong>r relevant WHO reports.3. The Commonwealth Government leads <strong>the</strong> establishment of a platform forsystemic, sustained inter-sec<strong>to</strong>ral working on <strong>the</strong> social determinants of health inline with <strong>the</strong> 2010 Adelaide Statement on Health in All Policies (HiAP).4. The Commonwealth Government implements health and health equity impactassessments <strong>to</strong> mainstream health in all policies as per WHO resolution 62.14.(b) Impacts of <strong>the</strong> Government's response;We recommend that:5. The Commonwealth Government develops long term plans for all major socialpolicy initiatives, identifying <strong>the</strong> policy goal, miles<strong>to</strong>nes, timeframes andresources <strong>to</strong> deliver on <strong>the</strong>ir commitments.(c) Extent <strong>to</strong> which <strong>the</strong> Commonwealth is adopting a social determinants of healthapproach through:(c)(i) Relevant Commonwealth programs and services,We recommend that:6. Governments at all levels commit <strong>to</strong> delivering on <strong>the</strong> Closing <strong>the</strong> Gap targets,and policies affecting Aboriginal Australians are based on meaningfulengagement, cooperation, and self-determination, not ‘intervention'.7. The Commonwealth Government improves employment assistance andestablishes paid work experience for long term unemployed people asrecommended in <strong>the</strong> A<strong>COSS</strong> BPS 2012-13.8. An independent public inquiry is established <strong>to</strong> review current employmentparticipation policies for people receiving income support payments andrecommend future directions for reform.9. Allowance payments for single people are increased by $50 per week asrecommended by <strong>the</strong> Henry Review.10. Indexation of allowances is reformed, so that all payments reflect <strong>the</strong> realcommunity cost of living based on typical fulltime wage levels (before tax) and<strong>the</strong> Consumer Price Index.11. The Commonwealth Government undertakes structural reform of <strong>the</strong> system ofincome support payments for people of working age and replace <strong>the</strong> presentthree tier system of payments for people of working age with a common ‘core’rate of payment <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r with supplements for additional living costsCouncil of Social Service of NSW (N<strong>COSS</strong>) Page 5 of 31
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