Assignment 3: Change Proposal – Addressing Inequality in Australia

1,500-word proposal.

Consider how an issue of inequality could be addressed in Australia.

Develop a change proposal to change a policy - either level of service, scope, funding, etc.

Write a report with reference to:

1. The issue in need of change - this will require you to research the policy area
2. The way in which it should be changed - this is your change proposal
3. Feasibility of your proposal- addressing both

– Macro issues such as prevailing ideologies, economic and political factors.

– Micro issues such as the particular characteristics of the policy area, implementation issues.

The issue you choose to focus on can be a local, state, national or global issue.

Consider ways in which you could make a difference and assess the feasibility of your proposal in the current socio-political context.

The proposal should specify the issue in need of change, the way it should be changed and the expected benefits the change will bring.

Important: Please note your proposal for change can illustrate a very small change something that you could manage to do NOW.

Feasibility must be considered and the strengths and limitations of your proposal outlined.

Please refer to the marking guide. Marking criteria for assessment 3 Change Proposal includes:

• Description of the issue, demonstrating an understanding of inequality
• Proposal for change – way/ways that you could make a difference
• Assessment of feasibility

Make sure we can understand clearly what your proposal is. Don't just make it an essay on a topic, or a vague, general "change the world" piece- you need specific information about what policy and what change you are proposing

You don't need a detailed budget - but you need to say if it’s going to cost money and address the implications as far as feasibility is concerned 

Don't forget feasibility - this when you talk about the political and ideological context. How likely is it that this will be implemented?

You also need to talk about a strategy - what this really means is that you have to work out who has the power to change the policy

If it’s a government policy you need to know whether it is State or Commonwealth, if it’s at a more local level, you need to understand the structure of the organisation to know who you have to convince.

Structure:

Make sure you have a proper Introduction and Conclusion and use headings.

• Identify the issue you want to address or change.
• Identify and briefly describe the group or communities that are facing the issue.

• Identify the responsible body -Government Department, Member of Parliament, Minister responsible for a government department, local organisation or group.

• Provide evidence about inequality or social injustice relevant to your proposal – use academic sources to relate your proposal to the reduction of inequality.

Outline your proposal:

• What is your proposal? Clearly state how it differs from the current policy.
• Is it policy change or more resources to be spent on an existing program or a specific project?
• Be careful about suggesting legislative change without fully assessing feasibility and understanding the process. Some proposals will require both but be specific.
• Be as specific as you can – relate your proposal to the evidence that you have found

Feasibility Assessment:

• What are challenges that face this project or proposal.
• What is the socio -political climate in which you are working?
• Where is the support for the project?
• How likely would it be for your project or idea to be supported?
• What would help or challenge this idea for change?
• What are the expected benefits of your proposal? How will the proposal make a difference?
• What are the weaknesses of your proposal? How can these be addressed?

Sources:

You can find information about gaps in policy or problems not addressed properly in:

1) Media Reports- Use media wisely, to highlight public concern about an issue but always take a critical stance. Always back up with other sources

2) Issue based Reports

(a) Government:

E.g. Royal Commissions, Ombudsman – Clth and NSW, Law Reform Commissions, Productivity Commission (Clth), Audit Office (NSW)

(b) Non -Government- Peak bodies

E.g. Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS)

NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS)

Refugee Council of Australia

Also: Human Rights Watch

Law and Justice Foundation

3) Academic Sources:

Refereed journal articles and books are always the best sources. Use them to

1. a) Describe the area of inequality you have chosen to address
2. b) Illustrate the relevance of your proposal to current academic thought
3. c) Set the context for your feasibility assessment

Assessment References

There is a list of policy areas on the Reading List. You can choose your own if you are confident, you know enough about it. Avoid highly complex policy areas which we have not addresses in class unless you are confident you know enough about the area.

Domestic Violence:

Maher, J., & Sands, T. (2018). Women, disability and violence: Barriers to accessing justice: Final Report. In ANROWS Horizons (Issue 2). Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS). https://d2rn9gno7zhxqg.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/19024604/Maher-et-al-Horizons-Research-Report-1.pdf

Murray, S. (2007). Homelessness and domestic violence social policy in Australia. Parity, 20(10), 17–18. https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=662477641728063;res=IELHSS

Ghafournia, N. (2011). Battered at home, played down in policy: Migrant women and domestic violence in Australia. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 16(3), 207–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2011.02.009

Housing:

Chamberlain, C., & Robinson, C. (2014). Part 3: policy and the future. In Homelessness in Australia: an introduction (pp. 253–292). University of New South Wales Press, Sydney. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uwsau/reader.action?docID=2008107&ppg=268

Cripps, K., & Habibis, D. (2019). Improving housing and service responses to domestic and family violence for Indigenous individuals and families. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. https://www.ahuri.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/45200/AHURI-Final-Report-320-Improving-housing-and-service-responses-to-domestic-and-family-violence-for-Indigenous-individuals-and-families.pdf

Powell, A., & Tually, S. (2019). The construction of social housing pathways across Australia. Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute. https://www.ahuri.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/43679/AHURI-Final-Report-316-The-construction-of-social-housing-pathways-across-Australia.pdf

Child Protection:

Martha Knox Haly. (2010). Neoliberalism and Child Protection: A Deadly Mix. Labour History: A Journal of Labour and Social History, 98, 121–141. https://doi.org/10.5263/labourhistory.98.1.121

Sawrikar, P., & Katz, I. (2014). Recommendations for improving cultural competency when working with ethnic minority families in child protection systems in Australia. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 31(5), 393–417. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-014-0334-8

Hogan, D., & Fry, R. (2018). Place-based collective impact: an Australian response to childhood vulnerability. APO. https://apo.org.au/node/182106

Mental Health:

Benjamin, R., & King, S. (2019). Part IV: organisational approaches. In Humanising mental health care in Australia: a guide to trauma-informed approaches (pp. 305–405). Routledge, Milton. https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uwsau/reader.action?docID=5716897&ppg=348

Davies, K., & Gray, M. (2015). Mental health service users’ aspirations for recovery: examining the gaps between what policy promises and practice delivers. British Journal of Social Work, 45(suppl1), i45–i61. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcv089

McCausland, R., & Baldry, E. (2017). Indigenous people, mental health, cognitive disability and the criminal justice system. Indigenous Justice Clearinghouse, 22. https://www.indigenousjustice.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/mp/files/publications/files/research-brief-24-final-31-8-17.pdf

Health:

Williams, J. (2013). Disparities, disproportionalities, differences, and discrepancies. Social Work Research, 37(4), 309–311. https://doi.org/10.1093/swr/svt039

Willis, E., & Keleher, H. (2016). Understanding the Australian health care system (3rd edn). Elsevier, Chatswood.

Oldenburg, B., & McGuffog, I. (2000). Socioeconomic determinants of health in Australia: policy responses and intervention options. Medical Journal of Australia, 172(10), 489–492. https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2000.tb124074.x

Smith, J. (2016). Australia’s rural, remote and Indigenous health: a social determinant perspective (3rd edn). Elsevier, Chatswood.