Human Rights Law Centre

Tackling Inequality Partner

The Western Australian Parliament has voted to enact safe access zone laws and ensure people accessing abortion care can do so safely and with dignity and privacy.

This historic vote means safe access zones are now protecting patients accessing abortion services in every state and territory across Australia.

The Human Rights Law Centre received funding from the Impact Fund in 2017 for its work in protecting and promoting the reproductive health rights of women in Australia.

ACOSS and UNSW Poverty and Inequality Partnership

Tackling Inequality Partner

The Poverty and Inequality Partnership led by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and UNSW Sydney has released a new report showing the relationship between income and health, with Covid widening the gap further.

“The pandemic has exposed the stark inequities that impact our health across the country. People on the lowest incomes, and with insecure work and housing have been at greatest risk throughout the COVID crisis. Now, they are the same people who are at risk of missing out in the vaccine roll out,” says ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie.

“Our report shows that health inequities are built into our society. People on very low incomes have the highest levels of psychological distress, and we know that the pandemic is increasing that distress.”

Key findings from the report include:

• People in the highest income group are twice as likely (60%) to report their health status as good, very good or excellent, compared with only 33% of those in the lowest income group.
• Half of people on social security payments under 65 report mental health conditions (50%). This is over twice as many as those whose main source of income is wages or salary (18%).

The ACOSS and UNSW Poverty and Inequality Partnership has received ongoing support from the Impact Fund since 2018.

Big Deal: Is our democracy for sale?

Strengthening Democracy Partner

Big Deal: Is our democracy for sale? – a new documentary from Craig Reucassel and supported by the Impact Fund – will premiere with Q&A screenings later this month.

Promoted as “a wake-up call about the frightening extent to which money has infiltrated politics”, the film is seeking to promote a stronger democracy through an impact campaign supported by fellow Impact Fund Partner the Australian Democracy Network.

Q&A screenings are being held on 12 September in Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and Perth, while those of us in lockdown can gather a group to book a virtual screening. Learn more here

If you are an ACF fundholder who has helped fund the documentary (formerly known as Democracy for Sale), you should have already received an invitation to a virtual screening later this month. If not, contact us.

Big Deal: Is our democracy for sale? was first supported by the Impact Fund in 2019.

Dhadjowa Foundation

Supporting Indigenous Self-Determination Partner

Dhadjowa Foundation founder Apryl Day and her siblings have been awarded the 2021 Voltaire Human Rights Award for their sustained activism for justice for First Nations peoples.

The award recognises the Day family’s advocacy to change public drunkenness laws in Victoria following the death in custody of their mother Tanya Day, with the offence decriminalised earlier this year in February.

“It’s been difficult to be able to do that advocacy work while still on that healing journey,” says Apryl.

“We are thankful to be able to receive the award and we are thankful for all the mob and allies that helped us get to the point that we’re at today. But if we had it our way, we would have our mum back and not these awards and the recognition for the activism we’ve done.”

Invasive Species Council

Safeguarding the Environment Partner

For the first time in recent history four organisations – Invasive Species Council, Animal Health Australia, Centre for Invasive Species Solutions and Plant Health Australia – have joined forces as the Biosecurity Collective to create the Biosecurity 2030 Project.

The Biosecurity 2030 Project is needed because invasive species are one of the greatest threats to Australia’s environment, economy and way of life. The initiative is designed to update Australia’s biosecurity system and protect farms, bushland, people and wildlife.

According to Invasive Species Council, “Australia does have a biosecurity system that is meant to protect our farms and nature, but despite our best efforts it’s no longer fit for purpose. There are major gaps in Australia’s biosecurity net that must be fixed urgently if we are to successfully fend off what’s coming and continue to succeed as a world leader in biosecurity prevention and preparedness.”