Media Release: WA performing low on social progress, but high on shelter - new research

Western Australia is performing high on shelter and response to overcrowding despite low performance on overall social progress, according to the Centre for Social Impact’s (CSI) Australian Social Progress Index (ASPI), to be discussed in a webinar today (14 October 2020).

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

Key findings:

• Compared to its economic peers, WA is performing worse than expected in overall social progress. It is performing worse than expected on water and sanitation, personal safety, personal freedom and choice, and inclusiveness. It is, however, performing better than expected on shelter.
• WA’s policy responses to COVID-19 have primarily responded to basic human needs such as Nutrition and Basic Medical Care and Shelter, but is at risk of widening its underperformance in Personal Freedom and Choice.
• Based on ASPI scores, WA is making good progress towards SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). It should prioritise goals that are focused on environmental quality, access to advanced education, and access to information and communication.

WHEN: Wednesday 14 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.