COMMUNITY SERVICES INDUSTRY COVID-19 Issues Register Status - completed. ID#
Category
Issue / Impact
Suggested solutions
Actions to date/feedback
Status/date raised
TCS060 Disability Services Is it possible to claim both JobKeeper and Disability Support Pension
Allow DSP recipients to also be eligible for JobKeeper.
Yes it is possible to receive both. Information is available here: http://ejaustralia.org.au/wp/wp-content/uploads/DSP-and- Completed. COVID-19-payments.pdf
TCS008 Family and Sexual Increased stress on men financially and personally Violence
Need preventive messages and virtual places for men to visit, that can extend support to men, in a safe, nonjudgmental space, to encourage them to share their concerns and needs.
19/07/20 - Effectiveness of campaigns is not yet known, but more can be done in terms of strong messaging and direction from men's organisations. "Call it Forward" campaign requires $12,000 funding for a professional marketing campaign.
RPN Needs Assessment completed.
27/06/20 - Funding announced for 15 projects across the state, under the National Partnership: COVID-19 Domestic and Family Violence, to help ensure the safety of women and their children and those at risk during the coronavirus pandemic. http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/additional_funding_to_help_prevent_and_respond_to_family_and_sexual_violence 16/06/20 - Tasmanian Government launched Safe from Violence website, providing information, online resources and links about family and sexual violence targeted at victim-survivors, perpetrators, family and friends of victim-survivors and perpetrators, service providers and the community. The site aims to increase community awareness about family violence and its underlying drivers; provide family and sexual violence service contact information; and pathways to seeking support. www.safefromviolence.tas.gov.au. 11/05/20 - MRT social media campaign "Call It Forward" that indirectly seeks to address these issues https://www.mrtasmania.org/callit-forward.html Extra funds have been provided by state and federal government for both mental health supports and family violence prevention and support services The Australian Government has launched a campaign to combat domestic violence during the COVID-19 crisis. The Help is Here campaign has two clear messages that help is here and tough times do not excuse tougher times at home. MensLine, a national 24/7 telephone and online counselling service since 2001. Men who need support can call MensLine on 1300 78 99 78 at any time or visit https://mensline.org.au/ []
TCS025 Housing / Homelessness
Confusion about what is and isn't allowed with the current arrangements around rent freezes and negotiating rent reductions.
Clear and wide communication around current laws and options for renters experiencing hardship.
19/05/20 - Tasmanian Government announces the establishment of the COVID-19 Rent Relief Fund providing support of up RPN Needs to $2,000 or four weeks rent for tenants experiencing extreme hardship. Fact Sheet available at Assessment https://www.communities.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/89721/V1.2_TasGov_COVID19_Factsheet_-Rent-Relief- completed. Tenants_D002.pdf 08/05/20 - SCC Recovery Team has referred to relevant agency for advice. 06/05/20 - Tasmanian Government to establish a support fund for tenants experiencing hardship. Government advertisements have been placed in newspapers. Tenants Union has developed fact sheets.
TCS026 Housing / Homelessness
Many residential tenants are accumulating rent arrears and will Mandatory negotiation of rent reduction (modelled on not be able to afford to pay the arrears when the moratorium commercial tenancy scheme expected to go before on evictions is lifted, leaving them vulnerable to eviction. Parliament in the last week of April) if renter can demonstrate COVID 19-related reduction in income. Potential solution (that commercial and residential leases have same protections) to be raised with Tasmanian Government.
[] 23/06/20 - Tasmanian Government announces an extension of the moratorium on evictions and rent increases to 30 September 2020. http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/releases/residential_tenancy_protections_extended 19/05/20 - Tasmanian Government announces the establishment of the COVID-19 Rent Relief Fund providing support of up to $2,000 or four weeks rent for tenants experiencing extreme hardship. Fact Sheet available at https://www.communities.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0027/89721/V1.2_TasGov_COVID19_Factsheet_-Rent-ReliefTenants_D002.pdf 08/05/20 - SCC Recovery Team has referred to relevant agency for advice. 08/05/20 - SCC Recovery Team has referred to relevant agency for advice. 06/05/20 - Premier announced a rent reduction scheme for commercial leases and a support fund for tenants who may be experiencing significant hardship with rental payments during the COVID-19 emergency period and will consult with the Tenants Union of Tasmania and the Residential Tenancy Commissioner on the eligibility arrangements. []
RPN Needs Assessment completed.