Media Release: NSW Government COVID-19 responses underperform on homelessness and high school retention rates - new research

New South Wales is faring better than its economic peers (based on GSP per Capita - QLD, VIC, SA, TAS) on overall social progress but is underperforming in its estimated homelessness rate and high school retention rate, according to the Centre for Social Impact’s (CSI) Australian Social Progress Index (ASPI) - findings will be discussed in a webinar today (16 October 2020). 

The webinar will also discuss how New South Wales is faring in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) using the APSI tool as a proxy measure.

Key findings:

• Compared to its economic peers, NSW is performing better than expected on Water and Sanitation and marginally better than expected on overall social progress.
• It is doing better on water and sanitation indicators, as well as voter registration rates and lower infant mortality rates. It is performing worse than its peers on its estimated homelessness rate, air quality, and high school student retention rate.
• Based on ASPI scores, NSW is making good progress towards achieving SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger) and 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing).
• NSW is well placed to offer basic medical care and sanitation as part of its response to COVID-19 - particularly in urban areas. Many policy responses are currently focused on maintaining and protecting the economy and should be analysed to ensure there is no undermining or sacrificing social progress.

WHEN: Friday 16 October, 11:30am – 12:30pm AEDT
WHERE: Online - Zoom webinar
REGISTRATION: https://events.humanitix.com/mapping-government-responses-to-covid-19-using-the-social-progress-index

Please note: The webinar starts at 11:30am (AEDT) and registrations will close an hour before the webinar starts.

ASPI researchers and webinar presenters:

• Dr Megan Weier: Research Fellow & ASPI Lead Researcher, Centre for Social Impact UNSW
• Isabella Saunders: Research Assistant, Centre for Social Impact UNSW

This impact2020 webinar is a free event presented by the CSI. During 12-16 October CSI will be running daily impact2020 webinars to delve into the ASPI results for each State and Territory of Australia with an emphasis on mapping Federal, State and Territory Government's policy responses to addressing social vulnerabilities during COVID-19. 

For more information and to register please visit the impact2020 website.