Treasurer to Open ACOSS Conference

Treasurer Wayne Swan will open the 2012 ACOSS National Conference in Sydney later this month.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan will open the 2012 ACOSS National Conference in Sydney this month.

Swan is set to present the Commonwealth Government's vision for improving equity and fairness in Australia.

ACOSS, the peak body for Australia's community and social services sector, is hosting its 2012 National Conference in Sydney on the 29 – 30 March, 2011 with the theme Sharing the Wealth of the Lucky Country.

ACOSS says the conference is the premier national event for policy-makers, researchers and those engaged in social services and advocacy.

"This is a critical time in Australia's history and requires a national conversation so all voices are heard," said Dr Cassandra Goldie, ACOSS CEO.

" We hope it will provide a platform to continue the national debate that Mr Swan has been calling for about fair sharing our nation’s wealth.

“ACOSS has also invited the Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to make a reply speech to open the second day of the conference.

“This is an opportunity for each of them to present their vision for Australia, and how they plan to ensure we remain fair and equitable and truly egalitarian into the future”

This year's conference brings together a high profile group of speakers including Don Henry, Eva Cox, Mark Butler MP, Simon Sheikh, Tanya Plibersek and Tim Costello,

They will join key leaders, researchers, and other workers in the community sector to dissect a wide range of social policy topics and issues relevant to equality and community service in contemporary Australia.

ACOSS says as inequality in Australia continues to increase, this year's event promises to address the policy, programs and action needed to promote fairness and equality.

One of the highlights will be a panel discussion addressing opportunities for employers to support disadvantaged jobseekers, featuring major players in business, politics and the community sector, chaired by Sky News host David Speers.

The conference will culminate with a discussion addressing the new frontiers of social policy over the next decade and ask a collection of well-known panelists to imagine Australia in 2030.

In addition to a packed two-day conference program, ACOSS will be hosting a very popular NGO Media Forum on Wednesday March 28.

Conference page: http://www.acoss.org.au/whats_on/conference/acoss_national_conference_2012/

Media Forum: http://www.acoss.org.au/media/media_and_communications_forum/