Queensland Shelter Ebulletin: 4th December 2009

Q Shelter AGM

Queensland Shelter would like to thank everyone who attended our AGM and celebrated our move into our new premises.

We were lucky enough to have Minister Struthers and Minister Schwarten address the event, as well as have Grace Grace, Member for Brisbane Central, welcome us into the neighbourhood.

We would also like to extend our thanks to Rev. Jenny Thompson, who performed an Indigenous Smoking Ceremony to bless Diamantina House.

As part of the AGM, Queensland Shelter's new board was elected. As always, our board represents both diversity and experience from within Queensland's housing sector, and we are grateful to be working so closely with them.

Introducing:
Wynn Hopkins, Chairperson
Peter Spearritt, Vice Chairperson
William Small, Head of Treasury
Gavin Coman, Secretary
Ann Langley, Vice Secretary
Darryl Lynch, General Board Member
Fiona Hunt, General Board Member
Avryl Gration, General Board Member
Jason Cubit, General Board Member
Sophie Paterson, General Board Member

We look forward to the year ahead!
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“Housing Australia Affordably” National Shelter Policy Platform

National Shelter launched its latest policy platform, "Housing Australia Affordably" in Melbourne on 24th November.

Many thanks to Julian Disney (The Community Tax Forum), Clare Martin (ACOSS) and Tony Nicholson (Brotherhood of St Laurence) who all presented at the launch and have given support for the platform.

The platform is now available to download on the National Shelter and Q Shelter websites http://www.qshelter.asn.au/national-shelter-policy-platform
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Picnic in the Park: 16th December 2009

Queensland Shelter, Queensland Injectors Health Network, Brisbane Youth Service and the Hepatitis Council of Queensland are hosting a Christmas Picnic in the Park on Wednesday 16th December from noon at New Farm Park.

Service providers will be in attendance and Parliamentary Secretary for the Department of Communities, Grace Grace MP, and Councillor David Hinchcliffe have been invited.

For further information on the picnic please contact Peter Mengede at the Q Shelter office on 3831 5900.

All are welcome!
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National Squalor Conference: 5-6 November 2009

Catholic Community Services hosted the National Squalor Conference, the first event of its kind in Australia, in Sydney on 5-6 November. Squalor is a condition that largely remains unnoticed, that is until neighbours complain about the mounds of refuse spilling over their fence or the fire department try and extinguish a house filled with a lifetime’s collection of combustibles.

To read more on the National Squalor Conference please go to http://www.qshelter.asn.au/first-national-squalor-conference-sydney-5-6-...
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Blog: Our Tax System makes our housing too expensive and needs fixing

The tax treatment of housing helps explain why Australia’s housing is so expensive and as some commentators have claimed, is both “upside down and back to front.”

The way we tax, or exempt housing from tax, provides greater benefits to those on higher incomes than those on low incomes and to those who have established themselves in the market rather than those trying to.

It also gives free kicks to investors to generate personal wealth rather than using public money to provide a public good, in this case affordable rental housing.

To continue reading Adrian’s blog entry, please visit http://www.qshelter.asn.au/blog/our-tax-system-makes-our-housing-too-exp...
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Swinburne University Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Housing Management and Policy)

The Department of Communities is offering financial support for five eligible staff or volunteers from community housing organisations to undertake the Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Housing Management and Policy) through the Swinburne University.

The course is a professional postgraduate qualification that provides knowledge and skills in research, policy development and systems of housing management.
An information package and details on how to apply will be posted to all community housing providers in the near future. Please circulate this information to staff and volunteers within your organisation who may be interested in applying.

Information about the Graduate Certificate of Social Science (Housing Management and Policy) is available at
http://courses.swinburne.edu.au/Courses/ViewCoursePG.aspx?id=35126

Applications for financial assistance must be received by the department’s Business Development and Innovation Unit by Monday 14 December 2009.
For more information, please call Michelle Forbes-Mitchell, Regional Support Officer, Business Development and Innovation Unit on 3239 3533 or email michelle.forbesmitchell@communities.qld.gov.au

The Housing and Homelessness ‘Community Housing Information Bulletin’ can be viewed at http://www.housing.qld.gov.au/programs/ch/news/info_bulletin/2009/mid-no...
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Queensland Shelter PO Box 214, Spring Hill 4004
Ph: (07) 3831 5900 Webpage: www.qshelter.asn.au
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