Workforce development on agenda in Homelessness White Paper

The ASU welcomes the Federal Government's White Paper, "The Road Home - A National Approach to Homelessness" announcement to halve homelessness by 2020 and the recognition of the importance of a well trained, well resourced and well paid workforce if the Government's targets are to be met.

As the largest union of workers in community agencies who work with and support homeless and disadvantaged people, the ASU made a submission to the White Paper process on workforce issues and we are pleased to see workforce needs and development are being acknowledged (see Chapter 4 of the White Paper which can be downloaded below). A link to the ASU submission can be found in an earlier news item on the ASU National Net News,here: http://www.asu.asn.au/media/sacs/20080630_homelessness.html

The White Paper released on Sunday articulates targets to halve homelessness by 2020 and honours an election promise of the Rudd Government. Reducing homelessness will contribute to the social inclusion agenda of the Federal Government.

Funding to implement the ambitious plan has come through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) process - $800 million from the State and the Commonwealth to expand the service system over four years and $400 million into social housing for the homeless. This is a significant investment.

The ASU is encouraged that the Federal Government is planning a range of new opportunities which will build on and enhance the foundational and critical work that has been done by community services' workers over the last three decades.

The report articulates three areas of work - early intervention, expansion of services and "breaking the cycle". Highlights in the Report include new money to address homelessness, an emphasis on early intervention and prevention, importance of linking people with employment, education and training and investment in additional 2,700 social housing units.

The ASU is pleased that the White Paper includes a section on the importance of the community sector workforce and the need to resource and strengthen it. The success of the White Paper strategies will depend on the ability and capacity of community agencies.

The White Paper reveals one strategy which is the funding for advanced practitioners in specialist homelessness agencies - the White Paper suggests that the State and Federal governments are considering how this may be actioned through SACS awards. The ASU is uncertain how this will occur when the Rudd Government's new IR laws focus so heavily on enterprise bargaining. All awards are undergoing "rationalisation" under the award modernisation process which will most likely cut wages and conditions, not enhance them. If the Federal Government is serious about including this new level in the SACS award which emerges from the award modernisation process, FAHCSIA must make a submission to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) supporting a new level in the Award. No one can rely on the AIRC to deliver this key initiative in the Homelessness strategy.

The White Paper also mentions the National Compact which will form the basis of a stronger relationship with the not for profit sector and also signals the formation of the Prime Minister's Council on Homelessness to drive the agenda.

The ASU welcomes these opportunities as one step towards an overall community workforce strategy. Much more is needed including portability of long service, increased wages, elimination of "sleepover" shifts and may other strategies.

The ASU looks forward to engaging with the Government to implement much needed resources and funding to the community based workforce.