The Social Inclusion Unit was established in March 2008 to progress the Tasmanian Government’s social inclusion agenda.
The key objectives of the Social Inclusion Unit are:
- to address the causes of social exclusion by developing practical solutions that are informed by evidence-based research and achieved by working with all spheres of government, the community and business sectors
- to contribute to the development of a fairer Tasmania where all Tasmanians have access to the personal, social, economic and civic resources and relationships that make life healthy, productive and happy.
The Unit is responsible for a range of tasks including:
- research and data analysis on key factors that affect social inclusion
- development of evidence-based policy on social inclusion
- policy advice and support for the Social Inclusion Commissioner, the Premier and Cabinet
- collaboration and engagement with all spheres of government and the business and community sectors about the delivery of programs and services that have an effect on an individual’s ability to participate in the community
- administration of funding to the community to address barriers to inclusion including community transport, community capacity building, family assistance and emergency relief.
The Unit leads engagement and consultation with the community to ensure that responses to complex social issues are based on evidence and feedback from people and organisations that experience and/or understand social exclusion.
On this website you will find information on:
Community Development Finance Fund – social enterprises grants
The Community Development Finance Fund, announced on 19 October 2009, will involve three funding programs including a social enterprises loan fund to support the development of organisations that focus on community development and will reinvest profits into the local community.
The Social Inclusion Unit is currently developing the policy and program details for the fund, including its scope and administration.
Once this work has been completed in early 2010, information will be publicly released and applications invited.
If you have any queries, please contact Sharron Middleton on 6232 7064 or email Sharron.Middleton@dpac.tas.gov.au.
A Social Inclusion Strategy for Tasmania
The Social Inclusion Unit has been supporting the Social Inclusion Commissioner in developing a social inclusion strategy for Tasmania. The report was released on 21 September 2009 and the Government responded on 19 October 2009.
Read the Social Inclusion Strategy Report | Read the Government's preliminary response | Read the 2008 consultation paper
Tasmanian Community Transport Trust Cars for Communities program
The Tasmanian Government is providing $1.5 million over three years to enable the Tasmanian Community Transport Trust to deliver two Cars for Communities grant rounds each year to help communities purchase vehicles to provide local transport services. The first grant round opened on 5 August 2009 and applications closed on 2 September 2009. The next grant round will open in February 2010. Find out more about Cars for Communities.
Common Ground Tasmania
A 45-unit inner-city housing development by Fairbrother and Hobart City Mission in Hobart is the first initiative to involve Common Ground Tasmania. Find out more about Common Ground Tasmania.
Social Inclusion Commissioner for Tasmania
Professor David Adams has been appointed as the inaugural Social Inclusion Commissioner for Tasmania. The commissioner will provide a strong voice for socially excluded and disadvantaged Tasmanians and lead Tasmania's social inclusion agenda. Find out more about the Social Inclusion Commissioner.
Ending Homelessness in Tasmania Report
Roseanne Haggerty, an international expert on homelessness, has visited Tasmania and produced a report to the Government which outlines innovative solutions to homelessness in Tasmania. Find out more about the Ending Homelessness in Tasmania report.
Stronger Communities Taskforce
The Stronger Communities Taskforce advises the Premier on strategies to strengthen Tasmanian communities, and increase community connection and social inclusion. Find out more about the Stronger Communities Taskforce.
The State of Our Community Report
The State of Our Community Report 2007 profiles successful community development programs in the community, business and government sectors. Find out more about the State of Our Community Report.
Estimating primary homelessness in Tasmania
The Tasmanian Government has been working to establish a benchmark figure for primary homelessness in Tasmania, and is committed to halving the number of people sleeping rough in the state by 2010. Find out more about estimating primary homelessness in Tasmania.
Integrated Service Delivery Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC)
The Social Inclusion Unit provides administrative and policy support to the IDC, which ensures the effective coordination of key social infrastructure projects across all spheres of Government. Find out more about the IDC.
