Advocacy

An important part of Sector Connect's role is to ensure the needs and issues of Macarthur and Wingecarribee are heard at a regional, state and federal level. It is for this reason that Sector Connect is represented at state peak forums (FONGA, NCOSS, LCSA, YAPA, FAMS to mention a few), regional government forums (Families NSW Project Management Group, DoCS Multicultural Advisory Group, Centrelink Multicultural Advisory Forum, Living Communities Consultative Committee), engagement in other initiatives such as Keep Them Safe NGO Capacity Building, A Stronger Voice for Western Sydney and Western Sydney Housing Taskforce and address individual service issues as and when they arise through the strong connections we have developed. Sector Connect has developed strong relationships at these levels and are often asked to comment on issues that arise. Sector Connect is also represented at the quarterly Regional Forums where all the Forums across the state gather at NCOSS to discuss common issues and to develop collaborative strategies and joint lobbying campaigns.

To ensure effective advocacy Sector Connect maintains strong working relationships with all local state and federal MPs in this region. Issues that have been raised during the past year include:

• Regional forum representation on the new Regional Development Australia committees (Illawarra Forum are representing Wingecarribee and Western Sydney Community Forum are representing Macarthur)
• The CSGP and Area Assistance reviews
• Volunteering and the impacts of the financial recession and changes to Centrelink rules
• Issues obtaining PBI / DGR status
• A consistent approach to redevelopment.

Strong relationships with the media are also an important aspect of effective advocacy. Sector Connect have developed strong working relationships with the local and national media this year and these connections helped support a media campaign regarding Minto Mall and housing issues. The media often will contact Sector Connect for comments when relevant.

Sector Connect has become aware that advocacy needs to be more targeted to gain real results and so a more strategic approach has been adopted for government inquires, submissions and other advocacy opportunities. Sector Connect has input into state and federal peak submissions when relevant, using the local mechanisms to ensure local input is incorporated. Sector Connect has also worked specifically on a number of different priority areas, with a strong push from the region to focus on issues closer to home.

Please see Resources / Advocacy for further resources

http://www.sectorconnect.org.au/advocacy

Resources:

Airds / Bradbury Social & Health Impact Assessment Workshop presentation

NRAS Affordable Housing Scheme factsheet