keywords: Vinnies

  • AUSTRALIA

    The capitalist and the Pope share a common enemy

    • Michael Mullins
    • 23 June 2014
    6 Comments

    Earlier this month, Pope Francis once again blasted capitalism. But it is not true that all business leaders dismiss those who appear chronically unproductive. Thursday's Vinnies' CEO Sleepout included investment bankers and other capitalist 'true believers', and now venture capitalist Mark Carnegie is proposing a war against growing inequality and disengagement, as if he is on a unity ticket with the Pope.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    What's killing the charities regulator?

    • Michael Mullins
    • 31 March 2014
    5 Comments

    The Federal Government is moving to abolish the body set up to protect and regulate the non-profit sector. Vinnies CEO John Falzon describes the action as 'ideological', while Melbourne Catholic education chief Stephen Elder sees it as an opportunity to spend more time raising money and delivering services. The Government must explain the policy imperatives driving it to dismantle such an extensively considered piece of legislation.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Pope Francis' field hospital

    • Michael Mullins
    • 23 September 2013
    11 Comments

    Pope Francis says in his recent interview that the wounded won't come to God if their pastors throw the rule book at them. Likewise the federal government will do nothing to increase employment participation if it chooses to demonise people through its punitive Work for the Dole Scheme. It's cruel and pointless to condemn people for not being able to walk up stairs while refusing to build a ramp.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Humiliation at the heart of homelessness

    • John Falzon
    • 18 June 2013
    13 Comments

    Recent ABS data reveals NT has both the highest rate of people experiencing homelessness and the highest imprisonment rate of any Australian state. Former Spanish PM Zapatero said 'a decent society is one that does not humiliate its members'. Successive Australian governments have systematically humiliated citizens on the basis of cultural background or health or social status.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Hearing the unheard at Christmas

    • John Falzon
    • 21 December 2012
    17 Comments

    The greatest power for progressive social change lies with the forming of connections between the excluded. This Christmas I invite you to join me in saluting the people who experience exclusion and who are best placed to teach all of us how best to change society for the better. 

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  • RELIGION

    Church needs to go back to the revolutionary '60s

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 22 November 2012
    36 Comments

    A new book by Vinnies chief John Falzon views society from the perspective of those excluded from its benefits , and calls for a concrete solidarity with the poor that will empower them to organise to receive justice. This was the stuff of Catholic activist reflection in the 1960s. It seems surprisingly novel today.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Budget leaves baked beans for Struggle Street

    • John Falzon
    • 10 May 2012
    6 Comments

    The Budget confirms one thing that both sides of politics agree on, and that's their belief in the existence of an undeserving poor. There's nothing wrong with bringing home the bacon for middle Australia. But the people living at the rough end of Struggle Street are trying to get by on baked beans.

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  • RELIGION

    Two faces of the Catholic Church

    • Andrew Hamilton
    • 24 November 2011
    44 Comments

    Monsignor John Murphy, the recently deceased former Director of Catholic Immigration, always responded to problems as people in need.  After the suspension of ordinary process following the retirement of Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby, Catholics there may feel themselves seen as problems rather than as people.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Unemployment angels and demons

    • John Falzon
    • 19 October 2011
    8 Comments

    Recently I received an email from a young man in Queensland. He was writing to thank the St Vincent de Paul Society for the stance it takes on the side of people who are demonised for being unemployed. He told me his story. Here are some bits of it.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    A fair go for all means a higher GST

    • Michael Mullins
    • 03 October 2011
    11 Comments

    The GST appears unfair, as it hits the poor much harder than it does the wealthy. But that's due to the way it is implemented, and it doesn't need to be that way. The St Vincent de Paul Society would like to see it increased, but with a more sophisticated and fairer compensation mechanism.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Sharing the carbon price pain

    • Michael Mullins
    • 18 July 2011
    10 Comments

    Because the Government will provide compensation for higher fuel bills, there is little incentive to use less electricity. While the Government is to be commended for its attempt to use carbon pricing to redistribute wealth, it is likely the poor will share the greater part of the burden of carbon pricing.

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  • AUSTRALIA

    Admiring the homeless

    • John Falzon
    • 14 June 2011
    8 Comments

    Far from being demonised, people living rough on the streets should be respected and admired for their tenacity and inventiveness. This week a group of business and community leaders will seek to learn from the people who live in the guts of our greatest social problem.

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