SOCIAL INCLUSION
PROGRESS
IMPLEMENTATION OF
STRATEGIES
JANUARY 2013
Social Inclusion Unit
Department of Premier and Cabinet
PROGRESS ON SOCIAL INCLUSION ACTIONS
Since the Social Inclusion Unit (SIU) was established in
March 2008 it has provided $15 million in funding to
the Tasmanian community to address social exclusion.
SIU delivers funding and programs based on the 65
actions outlined in A Social Inclusion Strategy for
Tasmania, A Cost of Living Strategy for Tasmania and
Food for all Tasmanians: A Food Security Strategy for
Tasmania. SIU is committed to achieving these actions
through an evidence based, consultative, collaborative
and innovative approach.
WHAT WE DO
In responding to the actions under the three Strategies, SIU, within the
Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC), has undertaken extensive
research, delivered programs, distributed funding and provided support
to the Premier, the Parliamentary Secretary for Cost of Living, the Social
Inclusion Commissioner and the Tasmanian Food Security Council.
SIU’s work program and funding expenditure since 2008 are outlined
below.
A detailed description of SIU’s funded programs, information about
current programs, social exclusion research and the three strategies can
be found at www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/siu.
THE WAY WE WORK
EVIDENCE BASE
SIU’s policies and programs are informed by quality data and sound
research, based on the Government’s Stats Matter Strategy. A strong
evidence base supports effective decision making, accountability and
outcomes in the Tasmanian Government’s response to social exclusion.
CONSULTATION
Embodying the principles of A Tasmanian Government Framework for
Community Engagement, consultation is also a fundamental element of
Social Inclusion Unit
Department of Premier and Cabinet
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PROGRESS ON SOCIAL INCLUSION ACTIONS
SIU’s approach to social inclusion. In the development of policies and
programs and in the provision of advice to Government, SIU consults with
Tasmanian communities, community service providers and peak
organisations representing the needs of people most at risk of social
exclusion. Engaging communities in policy development leads to more
sustainable, community-driven responses to social problems, and
ultimately a more inclusive society.
COLLABORATION
Informed by Collaboration: A Tasmanian Government Approach, the Unit
works directly with Tasmanian communities, across all levels of
government, with the non-government sector and with the private sector
in addressing social exclusion. The Unit promotes coalition models of
funding, whole-of-government approaches to social inclusion policy, and
encourages collaboration within sectors and across sectors.
INNOVATION
The SIU is committed to innovation in the Government’s response to
social exclusion. The Unit supports and funds new ways of working
together to build the capacity of individuals, families and communities to
have a decent education, skills, meaningful work, access to services, good
relationships and a say on what matters to them.
It does this by:

applying the principles of social inclusion being everyone’s
responsibility and therefore community driven;

strengths-based enterprising networks and pathways to build
capacity and sustainability;

supportive relationships built on trust and local community
networks to create resilience;

early intervention and prevention; and

providing immediate support for people and places in crisis as
well as tackling structural causes.
Social Inclusion Unit
Department of Premier and Cabinet
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PROGRESS ON SOCIAL INCLUSION ACTIONS
SOCIAL INCLUSION UNIT WORK PROGRAM
Social Inclusion Unit
Department of Premier and Cabinet
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PROGRESS ON SOCIAL INCLUSION ACTIONS
SOCIAL INCLUSION UNIT FUNDING TO
COMMUNITY AS AT JANUARY 2014
Cost of Living 2012-13 and 2013-14 Budget
Initiatives
Financial Literacy Exchange (FLEX) grants
program
Food for all Tasmanians grants program
Housewarming Program - Boxes and
Curtains
Housewarming Program - Stay Warm,
Save Money ($1 221 075)
U-Turn
DPAC Programs
Concessions booklet
Family Assistance Program ($1 750 000)
Food Vans ($330 000)
Tasmanian Volunteers Program
($1 300 000)
Cars for Communities ($1 086 544)
Community Capacity Building Grants
Program
Social Inclusion Unit
Department of Premier and Cabinet
$3 617 179
2012-13
$996 104
2012-13
2012-13
$1 000 000
2012-13
2013-14
2013-14
2010-11
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2010-11
$200 000
$800 000
$421 075
$200 000
$5 322 052
$125 508
$350 000
$350 000
$350 000
$350 000
$350 000
$60 000
$60 000
$60 000
$60 000
$90 000
$260 000
$260 000
$260 000
$260 000
$260 000
$622 070
$416 542
$47 932
$530 000
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PROGRESS ON SOCIAL INCLUSION ACTIONS
2009-10
2010-11
$100 000
$100 000
Emergency Relief and Lower Cost of Living
Energy Efficient Appliances Program –
2011-12
NILS ($180 000)
2012-13
Foodbank ($60 000)
2011-12
2012-13
General Emergency Relief Providers
2009-10
($2 999 147)
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
Micro Financial Assistance
2011-12
Neighbourhood Houses ($20 000)
2012-13
Produce the People ($60 000)
2011-12
2012-13
SecondBite ($180 000)
2011-12
2012-13
Tasmanian Food Security Fund
2009-10
$4 227 877
$90 000
$90 000
$30 000
$30 000
$1 000 000
$750 000
$750 000
$499 147
$10 000
$10 000
$30 000
$30 000
$90 000
$90 000
$728 730
Community Development Finance Fund
NILS micro-finance and micro-business
2010-11
loan extension ($483 375)
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
$483 375
$120 000
$120 000
$120 000
$123 375
Returned Services League of Australia
(Tas Branch) $200 000
Cross agency projects
Skills Tasmania - Adult Literacy Action
Plan
Tasmanian Early Years Foundation - Kids
Come First Project
Department of Education - Community
Liaison Officers ($500 000)
Department of Health and Human
Services - Tasmanian Food Security
Council joint secretariat support
Department of Health and Human
Services - Consumer engagement
strategy
Social Inclusion Unit
Department of Premier and Cabinet
$1 325 000
2009-10
$350 000
2009-10
2008-09
2009-10
2009-10
$75 000
$250 000
$250 000
$50 000
2009-10
$200 000
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PROGRESS ON SOCIAL INCLUSION ACTIONS
Common Ground Tasmania
Social Inclusion Unit
Department of Premier and Cabinet
2009-10
$150 000
Total
$14 975 483
PROGRESS ON SOCIAL INCLUSION ACTIONS
PROGRESS ON SOCIAL INCLUSION
SIU consulted with Tasmanian Government agencies in February 2013
and found that almost half the actions recommended in all three social
inclusion strategies had been completed, or were well underway to being
achieved.
Addressing social exclusion encompasses the collective efforts of
agencies, organisations, communities and individuals, from all levels of
government and different sectors of the economy and society.
A SOCIAL INCLUSION STRATEGY FOR TASMANIA
A Social Inclusion Strategy for Tasmania (the Social Inclusion Strategy) was
released in 2009, and has significantly influenced the Tasmanian
Government’s response to social exclusion and SIU’s work program.
The Social Inclusion Strategy recommends a total of 40 actions in the
following areas:
 Access to the Basics: Making Ends Meet
 Accessible Goods and Services: In Our Reach
 Learning for Life: Diversity and Skills Training
 Building Supportive Local Networks: Connected Communities
 Social Enterprises: A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out
 Volunteering: A Robust Civil Society
 Building Local Capacity: Home Grown Solutions
 Digital Inclusion: Equity for the Information Age
 Planning and Liveability for Social Inclusion: Enabling Future
Communities
 Good Governance: Changing the Way We Work
The Tasmanian Government has undertaken significant work in response
to the recommended actions. Specifically, SIU has delivered the
Supporting Tasmanian Volunteers Program (ongoing since 2009), the
Family Assistance Program (ongoing since 2009), the Cars for
Communities grants program (2009-12), the Community Development
Finance Fund (ongoing since 2010), and the Community Capacity Building
grants program (2010-11).
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Department of Premier and Cabinet
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PROGRESS ON SOCIAL INCLUSION ACTIONS
COST OF LIVING STRATEGY FOR TASMANIA
The Cost of Living Strategy was released in 2011, and outlines a total of 13
actions across three key areas for strategic intervention:
 Immediate support for people and places
 Capacity building
 Effective institutions and leadership
The establishment of the Parliamentary Committee for Cost of Living and
the Cost of Living Budget Initiative are the Tasmanian Government’s
major policy responses to the actions recommended in the Cost of Living
Strategy. The Cost of Living Budget Initiative includes $5 million over the
2012-13 and 2013-14 financial years to ease cost of living pressures for
Tasmania’s most vulnerable people. Programs funded under the initiative
include the $1 million Financial Literacy Exchange (FLEX) grants program,
significant emergency relief and emergency food relief funding, and the
Housewarming Program.
FOOD FOR ALL TASMANIANS: A FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY
FOR TASMANIA
The Food Security Strategy was released in 2012, and includes 12 actions
under four priority action areas:
 Increasing food access and affordability
 Building community food solutions
 Regional development and supporting food based social enterprises
 Planning for sustainable local food systems
The delivery of the Unit’s $1 million Food for all Tasmanians grants
program in 2012-13 (funded under the Cost of Living Budget Initiative)
and ongoing work on the Tasmanian Food Access Research Coalition are
the major policy responses to actions recommended in the Food Security
Strategy.
LOOKING AHEAD
Significant progress continues to be made on the 65 actions proposed
under the three social inclusion Strategies. For example, in the 12 months
since February 2013, the number of recommended actions completed
under the Food Security Strategy has doubled. The State Government
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Department of Premier and Cabinet
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PROGRESS ON SOCIAL INCLUSION ACTIONS
continues to implement the recommendations from all three Strategies,
with a wide range of interagency, cross sectoral activity being undertaken.
In December 2012, SIU consulted with Tasmania’s peak community
organisations on how the State Government should prioritise its ongoing
work to address social exclusion. Stakeholders identified a range of
priorities that fall under broad priority action areas or specific actions
outlined in the social inclusion strategies (listed in order as identified by
the most organisations):
 Lifelong learning, including vocational support and job readiness,
support for disengaged students, early intervention (parental support,
for example), peer mentoring and education, diversity in the
workplace, school breakfast programs, digital literacy, and story
telling.
 Governance, including sustainable funding for communities,
collaboration and connecting services, streamlined service provision,
community engagement in government decision-making, and
embedded transparency and accountability.
 Transport solutions to support employment, education and social
participation, including integrated transport solutions at local level
(using existing resources and infrastructure), peer education about
transport options, and establishing social enterprises to connect
people to jobs.
 Inclusive infrastructure and liveability, including housing models that
enable people to participate in community, safe, accessible and
inclusive public spaces, housing standards and urban spacial planning.
 Volunteering, including volunteer management and volunteer
engagement (including the peer mentoring model).
 Cost of living, including affordable housing, food security, utilities and
water concessions and energy efficiency.
 Addressing stigma and discrimination.
 Social enterprise development.
 Specialist and support services to facilitate people remaining or
becoming connected to community.
In the year since this consultation was undertaken, the feedback from
stakeholders has informed a range of programs and initiatives
undertaken by SIU, for example:
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Department of Premier and Cabinet
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PROGRESS ON SOCIAL INCLUSION ACTIONS
 The Wheels for Work and Training grants program will fund
community based transport solutions to connect job seekers to
employment and skills development.
 SIU’s funding for the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) Energy Efficient
Appliances program was extended for another year in 2012-13. This
program addresses cost of living pressures associated with high
power bills, by providing subsidies for energy efficiency solutions in
people’s homes.
 U-Turn is a youth diversionary program that provides skills and
support for people involved in, or at risk of being involved in, motor
vehicle theft – including disengaged students. SIU provided funding
for U-Turn for the 2013-14 financial year.
 SIU continues to fund emergency food relief providers around the
State and manage the Food for all Tasmanians grants program, to
address food security and cost of living pressures.
 The Supporting Tasmanian Volunteers Program has been funded by
SIU since 2009, and, through this program, SIU continues to support
volunteer engagement and the capacity of organisations that manage
volunteers.
Social Inclusion Unit
Department of Premier and Cabinet
11
GPO Box 123
HOBART TAS 7001
Phone: 03 6232 7139
Fax: 03 6233 9421
Email: the [email protected]
Visit: www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/siu