TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
INTEGRITY COMPASSION INFLUENCE
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OUR VISION: One Tasmania, free of poverty and inequality where everyone has the same opportunity.
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TRANSFORMING TASMANIA Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
But in spite of the current strong growth and optimism, fundamental areas like education and health continue to hold us back. Add to this Tasmania’s low average household incomes, increasingly unaffordable housing and the higher costs of basics including energy, healthy food and transport and, for many, even just getting by is nearly impossible. Every year in our beautiful State, 5000 of our households go without meals, 7000 of our friends, family and neighbours can’t afford to heat their homes through the chill of a Tasmanian winter and more than 21,000 people struggle to pay bills on time. But Tasmanians know that things can change and that we want to write a different story of our future State. We must consider the lesson served up by Tasmanians to their political representatives in the 2016 Federal Election. In that Election Tasmanians rejected the politics of division resoundingly, the language of lifters vs leaners, of us vs them by ejecting three Members of Parliament who demonstrated a deep ignorance of the sense of shared community held by the majority of Tasmanians. Tasmanians stood up at that Election and said ‘NO!’ when told to turn their backs on those in need, those who struggle, those who deserve more than to spend each day just getting by. This is the Tasmania we are at our hearts: Progressive change-makers who consider our communities to be our extended families and want our State’s representatives to reflect that.
People and communities matter to Tasmanians, it is at the heart of who we are. It is what connects us all, the threads of humanity that run through a small State like Tasmania. This is why Tasmanians want the voices and needs of those on the margins brought to the centre. But our story so far, the culture and the perceptions of who we are, run deep and we are conditioned to default to speaking only of our deficits rather than recognising our strengths. Tasmanians are not born as liabilities. Our systems, cultures and ingrained attitudes can cause people to be isolated and marginalised, rendering them unable to participate, socially or economically. We can decide to ingrain that further—to give up on all those have-nots. Or we can decide to view all Tasmanians—our collective community—as the competitive advantage we can leverage to rewrite our future. And we need courageous leaders to take us there. After all, a government striving for truly “balanced books”, will not be able to measure that balance by the economy alone—it will be held to account for balancing the books in education, health, employment outcomes, participation rates and in the strength and resilience of our communities. The 2018 State Election sees Tasmania poised at the brink of having the courage to make this change. TasCOSS challenges the next political leaders of Tasmania to change the economics-only focus of how they measure their own progress—to look beyond columns of numbers and see the riches that lie in each Tasmanian household, each Tasmanian community waiting to be recognised as worthy of investment. Kym Goodes, CEO, TasCOSS
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TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
Every Tasmanian should have the opportunity for a good life—the opportunity to do more than spend each day barely getting by. As our State experiences growing economic prosperity that adds to our already strong community bonds and our progressive attitudes there is little reason anymore for anyone to think of Tasmania as Australia’s ‘mendicant’ State.
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TRANSFORMING TASMANIA Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance The problem we want to solve
What do we mean by investment?
Tasmania is increasingly out of balance.
We define investment as capacity building or funds that work to lift up under-invested parts of our communities.
When some communities prosper while others are left behind, it leaves the whole State out of kilter. Two Tasmania’s. Tasmania does not want to be that State. This imbalance has happened over many years and across successive governments. We have turned a corner in the past few years, and with economic prosperity in reach now is the time for governments and communities to leverage off that success to pull each and every Tasmanian community up. It is time for a ‘spiralling-up’ approach that recognises Tasmania’s success stories while also targeting investment to the communities where there is clear need. Transforming Tasmania is a community-led investment model to reinstate balance and create a better Tasmania for us all.
This approach funnels investment across the multitude of assets found in communities across Tasmania, all of which work to strengthen economic outcomes in the short and long-term. Investment areas:
>> Built infrastructure
>> Social infrastructure
>> Human infrastructure
>> Cultural infrastructure
>> Natural infrastructure
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TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
TRANSFORMING TASMANIA Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
Tasmanians have successfully invested in progress, for example, the decision made more than a decade ago to invest in tourism infrastructure, training, marketing and promotion is a key source of today’s prosperity. Now is the time to make the same decision to invest in our domestic assets—Tasmanians families, children and communities, in a way we never have before, and reap a similar and complementary dividend. In this model, the Tasmanian government would sit down with communities to determine their specific areas of under-investment: In one community that may mean investing in the built infrastructure of a “health hub” to ensure local people have access to the range of health care professionals they need (think Windsor Precinct in Riverside), in another community it may mean increased targeted resources to address a need for an elderly population to have support in a local service centre.
Another community may need targeted and increased investment in adult literacy and adult learning options due to the high number of people with low education outcomes. Some communities may need more support to enable connectedness across their community due to high levels of isolation, others, increased sporting options and infrastructure. Whatever the investment it would be identified in partnership between communities and government, easing the expectation on government to know the solutions needed in each community and transferring responsibility for creating outcomes to the communities that will benefit from them. We propose the establishment of a co-ordinator general type function. This would provide the high level co-ordination and oversight to ensure that Tasmanian communities were able to receive the focus and investment required. Two co-ordinator general roles in Tasmania demonstrates an equal commitment to economic and social prosperity.
Community Investment Fund established
Criteria developed and first round communities determined
Government, priority communities, LGAs etc determine priority investment areas
Coordinator General type role is appointed with Head of Agency powers $100M over 4 years
TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
How would investment be made?
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Office of the Coordinator General allocates and supports implementation of intitiatives
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TRANSFORMING TASMANIA Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance What would Tasmania gain? This is a time of increased prosperity for many in our State, but not all. We have been here before, but have not been able to sustain the prosperity. We need to do things differently, to learn from what hasn’t worked as well as what has. What has always been “too hard” is to tackle the entrenched disadvantage that has held so many in our communities back. Our state needs to have the investment required to make the long term change we need. It will take time. And it will take a commitment to a ten year plan. It took many decades to build our state as an internationally sought after tourism destination. It will take this long term commitment to address and rebuild those parts of our state that have not had the investment they require to thrive and be resilient.
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In Tasmania we sit at a privileged point where we have a choice to let the gap build between those enjoying the prosperity and those who are not or to reset the imbalance, to leverage the wealth found in our culture and our social connections to reach out to those who have not yet felt prosperity, pulling them in to enjoy it along with us.
TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
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THE TRANSFORMATIVE TEN: ESSENTIALS FOR A STRONG TASMANIAN FUTURE
This document provides an overview of the range of policies and strategies that can achieve the structural reform and change our state needs. It provides a road map to address the key issues that will transform the lives of Tasmanians, now and for the next generation.
>> Health
>> Cost of Living
>> Education
>> Housing
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>> Employment
>> Families, Children & Young People
>> Community Sector
>> Transport
>> Pokie-free Communities
>> Resilient Communities
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TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
HEALTH
WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS BY:
Tasmanians have universal access to timely, accessible and effective health services and a State Government that focusses on health promotion, prevention and early intervention to improve quality of life and long term health outcomes for everyone.
>> Increasing investment in preventative health to 5% of the total health budget by 2020.
>> Establishing independent and transparent oversight of preventative health, including stronger engagement with community
>> Addressing health inequities using a Health in All Policies, and
>> Promoting greater engagement and collaboration between health and nonhealth providers to support greater health outcomes
… increasing “ opportunities for
TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
OUR VISION
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people to access active and public transport.
”
… supporting “ health-promoting
Consider health from a “ long term preventative model
rather than a quick budget fix. Investing in long term health options may cost more initially but will help over 5-10 years.
”
community events and access to free facilities for children and families (to maintain community connectedness and reduce social isolation).
”
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COST OF LIVING
OUR VISION
WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS BY:
The basics of life including energy, water and digital communication are safe, reliable, equitable, affordable and accessible for all Tasmanians.
>> The State Government preparing and publishing a distributional analysis of each year’s budget. A distributional analysis is a quantitative report about how people across the income spectrum are differentially affected
>> Introducing a ‘Cost of Living Impact Statement’ that is prepared and tabled alongside each piece of legislation that goes to Parliament. The Statement would identify how the legislation affects or addresses cost of living pressures, with a particular focus on five key areas: >> Health >> Education >> Employment >> Housing, and >> Essential services (electricity, gas, water and sewerage and telecommunications)
Sometimes it’s little “ things that make a
difference. We had some friendly people from Sustainable Living Tasmania help with a home energy thing in our rental house and they showed us ways to cut down the electricity bill.
>> Developing and implementing a Tasmanian Digital Inclusion Strategy for those currently experiencing high levels of exclusion. The strategy would focus on people and government services
>> More details in our Cost of Living Proposal and Connecting All Tasmanians to Digital Services Proposal
”
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TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
EDUCATION
WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS BY:
All Tasmanians have access to a quality public education and are able to access lifelong learning, training, further education and other opportunities from their communities. Tasmania’s low educational retention, completion and attainment levels impact not only individual Tasmanians, but Tasmania as a whole. Low education levels impact on people’s employment and income, can have implications for health and wellbeing and often results in lack of further engagement as an adult in future education, training and lifelong learning.
>> Investing at a high-level across the life span to shift the current education and training outcomes to at least the same as the rest of Australia, and
>> Recognising and increasing funding to support vulnerable students’ and families to ensure engagement with education. This is applicable from the early years, through adolescents and for young people and adults looking to engage with training or return to learning.
TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
OUR VISION
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Provid[e] real “ support to all
children in the school system and particularly to kids who are struggling.
We need to think of “ education as more than just
schools. To consider whole of community approaches to children’s wellbeing.
”
”
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HOUSING
OUR VISION TasCOSS stands with Shelter Tasmania, the Peak Body for Housing and Homelessness Services, in calling for affordable, appropriate, safe and secure housing for all and an end to homelessness. Please refer to Shelter Tasmania’s Budget Priorities Statement 2018/19 (http://www.sheltertas.org.au/ wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Budget-Submission_ FINAL-2017-12-13.pdf) for details on how Tasmania can achieve this Vision.
I worry if I lose my job “ we won’t be able to afford
our mortgage payments, which by the way is half what we would have to pay if we were renting the same house. I worry if we lost the house we would end up homeless maybe living in the car.
”
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TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
EMPLOYMENT
All Tasmanians are given access to and the opportunity for meaningful and stable work.
WE ARE ALREADY BEGINNING TO ACHIEVE THIS BY:
>> Implementing our partnership with Government, community and business
>> Sharing the decision making on innovative solutions, we can be sure that our state is united and working together to ensure meaningful employment for all
Stable, ongoing “ meaningful work
for parents is critical to enhance their self-esteem and provide the resources to care for their children.
”
We need to work towards “ genuine assistance to help
TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
OUR VISION
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[We need M]ore “ creative thinking
and opportunity for community members to contribute.
”
the unemployed to find appropriate employment, not one hour per week.
”
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FAMILIES, CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
OUR VISION Tasmanian families have the support they need to live healthy lives and participate fully in their communities. All Tasmanian children grow up in a safe, supportive and loving environment. Tasmania’s young people are actively engaged in community life with ready access to the resources needed to develop their potential.
WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS BY:
>> All levels of government investing in support and services for families so that parents and children can fully develop their potential
>> Ensuring all policies targeted at families recognise that early intervention is key
>> Investing more in evidence-based initiatives such as Child and Family Centres Our Vision
>> Rolling out of the Tasmanian Child and Youth Wellbeing Framework across all government departments, accompanied by robust reporting mechanisms and appropriate indicators and data
>> Please also refer to YNOT http://www.ynot.org.au/
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TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
COMMUNITY SECTOR
WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS BY:
Tasmania’s community service sector is well-resourced and supported, improving continuously and able to respond effectively to the needs of Tasmanians.
>> Convening a joint committee of sector and peak body leadership representatives.
>> This would also include representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC).
>> The goal is to ensure the sector maximises the opportunities provided by the reforms it is undergoing, meets increasing demand for services and responds to changing community need
>> More details in our Community Sector Industry Plan Proposal (https://issuu. com/tascoss7/docs/bps_industry_ plan_2018-19)
Consider health “ from a long term
preventative model rather than a quick budget fix. Investing in long term health options may cost more initially but will help over 5-10 years.
”
… increasing opportunities “ for people to access active and public transport. ”
TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
OUR VISION
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… supporting “ health-promoting
community events and access to free facilities for children and families (to maintain community connectedness and reduce social isolation).
”
tascoss.org.au
TRANSPORT
OUR VISION WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS THROUGH:
All Tasmanians can get to work, training, education, services, volunteering, social and recreational activities.
>> More extensive, more frequent, more affordable public transport options for rural and regional Tasmanians as well as for people living in the major population centre, with extensive community involvement in design
>> More driver mentoring programs for people trying to get their licenses
>> Increased spending on public and active transport infrastructure, including bus stops, footpaths and bicycle paths.
One child was absent “ from school for nine days
We have great “ fishing and beaches—
if you can get to them. I don’t have a car.
because the car had broken down.
”
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TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
”
POKIE-FREE COMMUNITIES
Tasmanians enjoy the benefits of pokie-free communities from 2023.
WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS BY:
>> Getting poker machines out of Tasmania’s pubs and clubs
>> Not increasing poker machine numbers in the casinos, and make them safe and fair
>> Continuing counselling and other support services for those harmed by poker machines, and
>> Supporting pubs and clubs with poker machines to transition their business model.
TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
OUR VISION
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RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
OUR VISION Tasmanian communities have the appropriate investment in the social, human and built capital to ensure they are resilient and all Tasmanians can thrive and enjoy a good life.
WE CAN ACHIEVE THIS BY:
>> Recognising Tasmanian people as a Project of State Significance, and
>> Investing in all of our communities’ assets including: >> Economic infrastructure >> Built infrastructure >> Social infrastructure >> Human infrastructure >> Cultural infrastructure >> Natural Infrastructure
>> Find out more in Transforming Tasmania Proposal
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TRANSFORMING TASMANIA: Investing in Tasmanians as a Project of State Significance
OUR VISION: One Tasmania, free of poverty and inequality where everyone has the same opportunity.
tascoss.org.au