Social Business News and Reports - Edition 19

Cabinet Reshuffle

On 12^th of December, Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced a Cabinet reshuffle that resulted in a splintering of responsibility that has direct impact on the social sector. With Nicola Roxon becoming Australia's first female Attorney-General, Tanya Plibersek will take over the health portfolio. Robert McClelland is Minister for Emergency Management and Housing, and the Social Inclusion portfolio will rest with Mark Butler, along with Mental Health and Ageing. Former Home Affairs Minister, Brendan O'Connor, is Minister for Human Services and Minister Assisting for School Education. Peter Shergold discusses the reshuffle.

Foundations for a Stronger, Fairer Australia

In the weeks prior to the Cabinet reshuffle, then Minister for Social Inclusion and Minister for Human Services,Tanya Plibersek published the ‘Foundations for a Stronger, Fairer Australia’– a report card of four years of social inclusion achievements, including some aspirations for the future. The report reveals the vast range of issues covered by the Social Inclusion portfolio. Peter Shergold discusses the report with Brooke Corte.

National Volunteering Strategy

Also from the office of Tanya Plibersek, the National Volunteering Strategy reveals that while Australian’s have a strong volunteering record with 30% of Australian adults volunteering – some of the highest proportions of all OECD countries – there are some challenges facing volunteering. The report does cover different trends facing different volunteering demographics, the prospects for information technology to play a role in volunteering, and the need for public recognition and value to be attributed to volunteering.

A survey of 1,200 Australian consumers undertaken by Cavill & Co. reveals that around 50% of those asked say they were willing to switch brands that supported a charity, and about a quarter have already done so this year. Women are more likely to make the switch, with 28% responding that they would compared with 19% men.

 

 

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View all segments of the December 2011 Sky Social Business program.