Author: Kerri

#IDPwD

International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) is a United Nations (UN) recognised day held on 3 December each year to celebrate the contributions and achievements of people with disability.

The UN theme for IDPwD this year is ‘Leadership and Participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.’

By acknowledging this important day, we can take action to remove barriers for the 4.4 million Australians with disability and contribute to positive change in our community.

We encourage everyone to get involved and join the celebration! Together, we can all take action to challenge stereotypes, remove barriers and promote inclusive and respectful attitudes and behaviours in our community.

For more information about IDPwD, including resources, stories, videos and social tiles, visit www.idpwd.com.au or follow @idpwd on Facebook and Twitter.

You can also help spread the word and join the conversation online using #IDPwD!

Anti-Poverty Week 17-23 October 2021

More needs to be done to tackle poverty in Australia. Illawarra Legal Centre supports Anti-Poverty Week’s (APW’s) call to raise income support above the poverty line and invest in social housing.

“Solving the housing crisis and lifting income support will alleviate crushing poverty” – APW

Anti-Poverty Week this year is held 17th – 23rd October.

As a community legal centre, Illawarra Legal Centre, assists some of the most disadvantaged people in our community and our tenancy and welfare rights services know all too well how poverty affects the people of the Illawarra.

The COVID supplement for social security recipients has been cancelled. While the Government has increased the basic rate of job seeker payment by $25 per week, this increase still leaves social security recipients well below the poverty line.

“A single person dependent on social security payments cannot afford to live in private rental accommodation. Their only choices are share accommodation or social housing which is insufficient to meet the demand. Many are compelled to sleep in temporary accommodation or their car. While the rate of taxation paid by high income earners has been reduced, the financial hardship of those dependant on the social security safety net has increased.” said Ian Turton, Welfare Rights Solicitor at Illawarra Legal Centre.

The Illawarra Legal Centre provides a welfare rights service which assists and represents people who are experiencing difficulty in their dealings with Centrelink. Our tenancy service assists people experiencing issues with their tenancy. If you are having problems contact us.

Welfare Rights: 4276 1939

Tenancy: 1800 807 225

To find out more visit:

Anti-Poverty Week  #APW21

Raise the Rate for Good campaign #RaiseTheRateForGood 

Everybody’s Home campaign #BuildSocialHousing

Heal Country, Heal our nation

During this week, NAIDOC celebrations are held across Australia to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This years NAIDOC theme is – Heal Country!

Heal Country! – calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.

This year ILC is unable to participate in events, as large parts of the NSW are currently in lockdown.

Our Aboriginal Legal Access Worker, Levenia, is still available to take your calls on 4276 1939

You can also still celebrate NAIDOC Week by participating in online events.  To find out what is available visit: https://www.naidoc.org.au/get-involved/naidoc-week-events

27th May to 3rd June is National Reconciliation Week (NRW)

These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey; the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.  The goal of the reconciliation movement is for a just, equitable and reconciled country.

NRW is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

This year’s NRW theme is #MoreThanAWord

It reminds us to always work towards more impactful action and that we all play an important role in shaping Australia’s journey towards a just, equitable and reconciled nation.

To find out more about a just, equitable and reconciled Australia visit:

Reconciliation Australia

Reconciliation NSW