2024 Federal Parliamentary Inquiry – Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia
In August 2024, the Federal Government commenced an inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia; to understand whether current settings appropriately support the prevention, reduction and recovery of alcohol and drug-related health harms on individuals, families and communities.
EACH service Reconnexion has supported Victorians with benzodiazepine dependence for nearly 40 years, and demand for this support is growing nationally.
Drawing on Reconnexion’s insights and research, EACH submitted a response highlighting the hidden and growing harm from benzodiazepines in Australia, and the pressing need for a national support service and better prescriber education.
Download EACH’s Parliamentary Inquiry – health impacts of alcohol and other drugs PDF Version
2024 Federal Parliamentary Inquiry – Financial Services Regulatory Framework in Relation to Financial Abuse
More and more, EACH’s financial and family violence counsellors are supporting clients – overwhelmingly women – who have experienced financial abuse.
In early 2024, Federal Parliament established an Inquiry into financial abuse. One of the ripest areas for reform to address financial abuse is within Government. Government departments and bodies such as the Australian Taxation Office and Centrelink currently play a powerful role in enabling financial abuse and reinforcing the impacts of that abuse, and non-legislative change can readily be made to reduce opportunities for abuse.
In line with the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference, EACH has outlined key financial abuse issues and financial service weaknesses that the Federal Government could seek to address, enablers of financial abuse, scope to improve regulatory processes, and our recommendations.
Download EACH’s Parliamentary Inquiry – Financial Abuse PDF Version
Download EACH’s Parliamentary Inquiry – Financial Abuse Word Version
Family violence – financial abuse
In February 2024, EACH made a submission to the Victorian Government’s consultation to inform their third Family Violence Rolling Action Plan.
EACH’s submission focused on a form of family violence seen increasingly by our financial and family violence counsellors: financial abuse. Under-recognised but highly prevalent, financial abuse is a key factor in perpetuating family violence. We can help keep more families free from violence by raising awareness, preventing, and better responding to financial abuse.
Download EACH’s Submission: Victorian Government Family Violence Reform 2024-2026 PDF Version
Download EACH’s Submission: Victorian Government Family Violence Reform 2024-2026 Word Version