Robert Servine

I’ve officially started my role with the Western Australian Planning Commission and had a productive first meeting with the Minister. We discussed key priorities and the ongoing reform journey to shape Western Australia’s future with a strategic and modern focus. This is a promising time to be involved in planning for the State, and to contribute to a forward-thinking and dynamic approach. #PlanningWA #WesternAustralia #UrbanDevelopment #PlanningReform #ModernPlanning

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What’s best practice for working with Aboriginal people if you’re growing and selling native plants? Traditional Owners have spelled out the answer for you, in what we’ve termed a cultural protocol. You may have heard of the Victorian Traditional Owner Native Foods and Botanicals Strategy: a landmark document prepared by Traditional Owners that outlines the reforms needed to ensure the cultural, social and economic benefits of producing native plants flows to the Traditional Owner groups that have cared for them all along. The protocol accompanies the strategy – setting out best practices for engagement, understanding and agreement-making between the Victorian native food and botanicals industry and Victoria’s Traditional Owners. Four principles ground the protocol – culture, Country, community and commerce – and the document includes reflective questions for organising your approach. If you’re grinding wattleseed or powdering Illawarra plums, this protocol is your tool for working with Traditional Owners in a way that is culturally safe and respectful. LEARN MORE | bit.ly/45thRpz

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The Government has tabled the final report of the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into philanthropy in Australia: Future foundations for giving. The report makes several recommendations to strengthen the foundations of philanthropy, supporting the Government’s goal of doubling giving by 2030. Read the report: https://lnkd.in/g3Hg86x8

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Sometimes the smallest ideas can have the biggest impact.  Wondering what to do with unused furniture from around our Communities, our Social Impact Coordinator, Fiona Robson found a way to support Customers, save furniture from landfill, support people experiencing homelessness and bring the Community together!   The scope of the initiative has grown beyond anything Fiona and her team could have imagined. So far, it has helped over 250 Customers and rehomed 3432 items of furniture and homeware. Fiona explained:     “A lot of our Customers have come from either homeless shelters or perhaps have had to flee due to domestic abuse and have had to leave their old homes suddenly and are unable to take anything with them. There are actually so many moving stories and I spent the first probably 6 months being very emotional after each appointment.”     With over 22 million pieces of furniture ending up in UK landfills annually, the Furniture Reuse initiative not only helps Customers but also plays a vital role in reducing waste and promoting sustainability.    We are proud to support Fiona and her team in Edinburgh and see the initiative go from strength, helping more and more Customers turn their properties into real homes. Fiona’s story showcases the power of a Community coming together and how small ideas can go a long way.     In honour of #WorldHomelessnessDay, let’s continue raising awareness and supporting initiatives like this that help transform lives.    Find out more about Fiona’s furniture reuse revolution, and more heart-warming stories from our Customers and People: https://lnkd.in/ej_RbbN5 #BecauseCommunityMatters  #WeAreCommunity #MakingADifference  

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Our August digital publication is now available. We introduce you to Angela Shepherd, from UnitingCare Specialist DFV Services as our Face of the Sector for August. This month we shine our Spotlight On: Homelessness. With Homelessness Week upon us, there are a whole range of events happening locally and nearby to come together, highlight the impact of homelessness, discuss solutions and advocate for change. The Sunshine Coast Housing and Homelessness Network and Street Up have special events happening that you can get involved in.   Also of note, the Queensland Government released the Broadening the Focus: Queensland’s strategy to strengthen responses to people who use domestic and family violence 2024 to 2028. You’ll find links to the media statement and the strategy within the newsletter under Research & Resources.   We also bring you chapters offering a broad range of topics in Professional Development | Listen | Events | On The Radar | Research & Resources | Jobs | Have Your Say | Face of the Sector | Acknowledgements   In August we recognise: August is Multicultural Queensland Month 1st – 7th August: Homelessness Week 4th August: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about the crucial impact that community, culture and family play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child. 9th August: International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. On this day, people from around the world are encouraged to spread the United Nation's message on the protection and promotion of the rights of Indigenous peoples. 12th - 16th August: Bullying No Way: National week of action. Bullying No Way Week, 12 to 16 August 2024, is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative and connects schools and communities to find workable solutions to prevent bullying. 19th-25th August: Brain Injury Awareness Week 25th August: Australian South Sea Islanders National Recognition Day. In 1994, the Commonwealth Government officially recognised Australian South Sea Islanders as a distinct cultural group. A formal Recognition Statement followed this by the Queensland Government in September 2000. 30th August: Wear It Purple Day 31st August: International Day for People of African Descent

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The Community Affairs Legislation Committee has just published the joint submission I have co-authored with my friend and NDIA co-design colleague, Uli Cartwright, on the NDIS Bill. Our submission addresses: - The lack of co-design for major changes to the primary legislation according to Article 4(3) of the UNCRPD - Destruction of the golden thread between funding, goals and aspirations for a life worth living on an equal basis with others - Parallels with Robodebt culture in the participant experience and the further risks this Bill imposes - Legislating NDIA accountability to participants - Legislating NDIA, DSS and Government accountability in co-design - Our vision for the co-design commitment we need This submission was made independently of our roles as NDIA Participant Reference Group members. However, in light of the following statement published on the DSS website last night regarding NDIA co-design, we wish to set the record straight: “Since the Government introduced proposed changes to the NDIS Act, the NDIA has been working closely with Disability Representative and Carer Organisations (DRCOs), our Independent Advisory Council (IAC) and Participant Reference Group (PRG) to improve their approach and confirm the next set of priority topics for co-design.” We do not know who drafted this FAQ, but we do not believe “working closely” with the PRG is a fair or accurate representation of a one hour briefing the day after the Bill was tabled, a two hour Q&A for us to give our feedback on the proposed legislative changes, and a two hour meeting on the NDIA’s already-formed, already-drafted co-design approach and proposed topics. At this meeting, we asked the NDIA to ask us what we can contribute and how much work we can take on, not to assume we are not up to the task. We go much further in our submission: We ask the Government, DSS and the NDIA to “assume that we can” contribute much more, and to invite people with disability to lead these reforms, including drafting of amendments (or indeed, re-drafting) of this Bill.

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Hello Friends, This week's update from Ian in Canberra addresses budget disappointments and NFF's adoption of the farm access code. Highlights: 🌱 Horticulture and Cropping Subcommittee Meeting: The subcommittee met in Deloraine for the first time with positive outcomes. 💼 Canberra Engagements: Nathan and Ian attended the National Farmers Federation (NFF) meeting in Canberra, engaging with state farming organisations and the minister's office. 💸 Budget Disappointments: Sauer expressed disappointment with the federal budget, feeling it let down the agricultural sector in Tasmania. 📜 Farm Access Code: Launched with the Victorian Farmers Federation, this code outlines guiding principles for farms, ensuring proper engagement by companies and industries. 🚜 NFF Highlights: Key discussions at the NFF included the "Keep the Sheep" campaign to maintain legitimate live export trade, budget analysis, and the importance of the $1.7 billion funding for regional roads. 🤝 Policy and Engagement: The NFF conference focused on policy setting and engagement, providing a platform for state farming organisations like TasFarmers to address their issues. This week underscored the importance of strategic collaboration and advocacy for Tasmania's agricultural sector amidst governmental and industry changes. As always, have a great weekend

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