This research explores the achievements and struggles of the mental health consumer movement across Australia in order to inform the development of consumer activities in one state, Tasmania. Using information collated from a literature review and one-to-one interviews with over 70 consumers and other stakeholders it maps consumer initiatives and activities nationally, describes the key...

This report explores one aspect of the consumer credit sector: payday loans. Payday loans are a ‘fringe’ credit product, operating outside the mainstream credit sector. In this report they are defined as loans that are small (no more than $1,000 but typically less than $250) and short-term (usually with repayment periods of 30 days or...

This policy paper looks at the 'growth provider' model as used in Australia and in the United Kingdom, and in particular at the impact on very low income households and people with complex needs.

This policy paper explores the issues involved in corporatising public services and the possible consequences of using a corporatised model for the delivery of public housing. In Tasmania, the two corporate models that exist are government business enterprises and state-owned companies. Both models require the corporatised service to adopt a commercial focus. The paper looks...

This is a policy position endorsed by the Tasmanian community sector, and developed with sector input through a consultation process facilitated by Shelter Tasmania, TasCOSS and Anglicare Tasmania. The three documents were officially released on 16 October 2007 at Parliament House in Hobart as part of an Affordable Housing Advocacy Day attended by people from...