St Vincent de Paul Society welcomes establishment of a national affordable housing working group The St Vincent de Paul Society has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement that it will establish a working group to improve and increase the stock of social and affordable housing. St Vincent de Paul Society Chief …

This article first appeared in The Guardian Australia website athttp://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/23/under-the-guiding-stars-of-struggle-and-hope-we-can-have-a-truly-inclusive-ideas-boom. By Dr John Falzon Forcing young unemployed people to live on fresh air and sunshine for one month a year won’t fix the budget and it won’t create a single job. Yes, it’s been Myefo time, and contrary to the …

Bring compassion and respect back into the asylum seeker and refugee debate The St Vincent de Paul Society is calling for a new asylum seeker and refugee debate in Australia that is more compassionate and adheres to international law. The Society’s National Council this week adopted a new policy framework …

St Vincent de Paul calls for change in political attitudes towards Australians living in poverty, ABC Radio AM, Story by Lindy Kerin Listen to the full story on the ABC Radio, AM website. MICHAEL BRISSENDEN: One of the country’s peak welfare groups has called for a shift in political attitudes …

Sick with worry report: People’s desire to participate shines through The St Vincent de Paul Society has marked Anti-Poverty Week 2015 with the launch of the ‘Sick with worry…’report containing stories from the front-line of inequality and 14 recommendations for urgent action by the Federal Government to help enable people …

World Mental Health Day/World Homeless Day – 10 October 2015 The St Vincent de Paul Society is calling on the federal government to meet with key service providers, peaks and community organisations and to commit to developing a revitalised national approach to tackle homelessness, the shortage of social and affordable …

Penalty rates are an essential means of building fairness in our economy, keeping many of Australia’s lowest paid workers from falling into deeper poverty, and should not be tampered with. St Vincent de Paul Society Chief Executive Dr John Falzon said: “It is vital that Australia’s penalty rates system be …

Vinnies has a strong commitment to assisting people with mental illness, which includes helping to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. We are proud to support Mental Health Week 2015 (October 4-10). Mental Health Week aims to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and wellbeing in the …

St Vincent de Paul Society says people seeking refuge welcome here Mr Graham West, National President, and Dr John Falzon, Chief Executive, issued the following statement on the Syrian Refugee Crisis this morning: “The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia urges the Australian government to show moral …

The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia says our political leaders are putting the safety of the most vulnerable people at risk by their support for punitive and degrading policies. Recent changes to the Border Force Act have exacerbated the secrecy and uncertainty that surrounds mandatory detention …

Stepping up to tackle homelessness The St Vincent de Paul Society believes housing is a human right and we join with other organisations in support of the National Homelessness Prevention Week (August 3 to 11). Homelessness Prevention Week (HPW) is coordinated by Homelessness Australia and funded in part by the …

Anthony Thornton MBE SQNLDR RTD        10 June 1937–11 July 2015 ‘Charity is the Samaritan who pours oil on the wounds of the traveller who has been attacked. It is the role of justice to prevent the attack.’  – Blessed Frédéric Ozanam   By Dr John Falzon Tony Thornton, former National …

The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia has thrown its support behind a landmark report, which found entrenched disadvantage is affecting a number of communities around the country. Dropping off the Edge 2015 produced by Jesuit Social Services and Catholic Social Services Australia, maps disadvantage across the …

With courage let us all combine The St Vincent de Paul Society is celebrating Refugee Week 2015 by reflecting on how refugees, asylum seekers and migrants have contributed greatly to the fabric of the Australian community and will continue to do so for many years to come. Vinnies encourages its …

Vale Anthony Thornton MBE It is with deep sadness that we share with you the news that Tony Thornton, National Treasurer and former National President, died late last night. Tony was a passionate supporter of the Society and advocate for people experiencing marginalisation. His conference work, leadership of Centres and …