The ACTU’s insecure work inquiry should be welcomed by all interested in our long term prosperity, writes Michael Horn, from the Brotherhood of St Laurence.

Until recently, the usual measure of disadvantage in Australia has been the level of income poverty. The Henderson poverty line has traditionally been the most widely used indicator, measuring the disposable income required to support the needs of a family comprising two adults and two children. Other measures have been developed both here and overseas...

Concerned about financial barriers to participation, the authors of this report canvassed the cost burden to parents of education in a government school. To achieve 90 per cent Year 12 attainment, they found, will require educational policy reform. The authors applied a social inclusion lens, allowing for not only subject fees, uniforms and textbooks but...

Melbourne Citymission workers have expressed concern that they do not currently have the time or resources to provide the amount of intensive support required for families experiencing housing crisis.

This audit has sought to build on earlier research undertaken by the Refugee Education Partnership Project, which examined learning support for refugee and new migrant students across Melbourne.