Catholic Social Services Australia CEO Dr Jerry Nockles has met with senior advisers from the Victorian Premier’s Office at Parliament House in Melbourne to discuss critical support for Victoria’s most vulnerable communities amid fiscal pressures facing the state.
Mr Nockles was accompanied by CSSA Director of Policy and Advocacy, Carmel Sefian, and Catholic Social Services Victoria Executive Director, Josh Lourensz. The meeting, held last week, focused on shared priorities including youth justice, housing and homelessness, the Thriving Kids initiative to identify children with developmental needs and provide support, and sustainable funding for essential social services.
“We had a productive and frank conversation with the Premier’s advisers about the challenges facing Victoria and the critical role social services play in supporting vulnerable Victorians,” Dr Nockles said.
“CSSA fully understands the imperative for fiscal discipline and responsible budget management. However, we urged the Victorian Government to ensure that Victoria’s most vulnerable are not the shock absorbers of budget savings.
“Any reduction in funding for social services equates to cost-shifting for taxpayers and government to other systems – the primary healthcare system, emergency departments, the justice system. The false economy of cutting prevention and early intervention only stores up greater costs down the track.”
Dr Nockles highlighted the work of CSSA’s Victorian member agencies, which collectively support tens of thousands of people each year through essential services.
“Our members – CatholicCare Victoria, MacKillop Family Services, and Jesuit Social Services – bring decades of experience, deep community connections and proven models that deliver real value for every taxpayer dollar invested,” he said.
Ms Sefian emphasised the role that Catholic social services can play in supporting the implementation of the Thriving Kids initiative, due to commence from October 2026, and urged for support targeted to those most in need.
Mt Lourensz spoke about the need for balanced and responsible public discourse around youth justice.
During the meeting, CSSA advocated for longer-term funding arrangements at a minimum of five years to provide certainty for the sector and better support planning and emphasised the importance of early intervention programs that deliver measurable outcomes and generate savings for government.
FULL STORY
CSSA Meets with Victorian Premier’s Office to Advocate for Victoria’s Most Vulnerable (CSSA)
