Today the the four community sector organisations responsible for the establishment of Goodstart - incl. BSL – are featured in the Canberra Times calling for smart and bold policy decisions to improve the lives of our youngest. Media release here: bsl.org.au/news-events/me…

Fully subsidised childcare three days a week for low-income families would provide a serious workforce boost, Productivity Commission advises federal government. theage.com.au/politics/feder…

Very important draft report from Productivity Commission showing how we can create a better early childhood system for all Australians, especially children and families who have been left behind. Lots to take forward Brotherhood of St. Laurence CPD

Parliamentary report slams mutual obligation, calling for total overhaul of employment services theconversation.com/parliamentary-… via The Conversation - Australia + New Zealand

Today’s Workforce Australia report has confirmed Australia’s employment services system is fundamentally broken and must be rebuilt. Read our joint statement with the Centre for Policy Development here: bsl.org.au/news-events/me… #auspol

Labor MP Julian Hill chaired the inquiry into employment services, he told #RNBreakfast the system isn't working and at times is "torturing unemployed people". He says full privatisation has failed, and the system needs a "public sector core". abc.net.au/listen/program…

“[T]he inquiry found the current system – which contains the largest government contracts outside the Defence Department – was holding back the entire economy” theage.com.au/politics/feder…

To celebrate #IDPWD2023, the wonderful Brotherhood of St. Laurence team have produced videos sharing the stories, insights and aspirations of five colleagues: Isobel, Joshua, Maysa, Marco, and Uncle John. Here they are bsl.org.au/idpwd-2023/

Peta Murphy was a formidable advocate for her community, a much loved supporter of Brotherhood of St. Laurence, and just a wonderful human being. Her legacy will live on through the causes she backed (like BCNA), all those she inspired, and her treasured family and friends. Vale

We recently teamed up with University of Melbourne to examine the current Family Tax Benefit system through our Growing Pains research report. Find out why these critical payments are no longer meeting the needs of the families that rely on them: bsl.org.au/news-events/me…

We're pleased to launch our 2023 annual report showing the past year's achievements, incl. stories from some of the 82,470 participants we've helped across: ✔️ Research, policy & advocacy ✔️ Children &youth ✔️ Disability ✔️ Economic & social inclusion annual-report-2023.bsl.org.au

Peta Murphy worked hard through her illness, when others would have stopped, because she was on a mission to tackle the social damage from gambling. She listened to others. Will federal cabinet listen to her? Column this week: theage.com.au/national/murph…

BSL welcomes the final report from the NDIS Review. The current Scheme must be reformed to make it sustainable and to address existing challenges for people with disability, their family members and communities. Read our full statement here: bsl.org.au/news-events/me… #auspol

We celebrated the 10 yr anniversary of the Holmesglen Education First Youth Foyer in Glen Waverley. A partnership between BSL, LaunchHousing & Holmesglen Institute, the Foyer has seen over 300 young people graduate with the skills they need to lead fulfilling, independent lives.

Important piece by ⁦Laura Tingle⁩ on what happens next with the NDIS, foundational supports, and the need for early childhood services and schools to become more inclusive abc.net.au/news/2023-12-0…

We wish everyone a happy and safe festive season. As we close out 2023, we’d like to thank you all for your support as we continue to create change that lasts for Australians experiencing disadvantage. We also look forward to your ongoing support in 2024 and beyond.

Please read the Statement on behalf of the O'Donoghue Family: hubs.li/Q02jLCNr0

What a beautiful story. Two of Us: Nas Campanella and Thomas Oriti smh.com.au/national/i-sai…

I loved talking to the people in this report. They’ve been studied since birth. Now 34, how did family, $$$, social policy and luck shape their lives? We’ve got some answers. abc.net.au/news/2024-06-0…

A landmark study following the lives of 167 Australians for over 30 years that had a mission to find out if a child's start in life determines their fate has come to an end. Participant Isabel Walker joins us to tell us how she feels about looking back on that journey.