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Community organisation Inclusee is encouraging Australians who are feeling isolated or lonely to visit their new website (inclusee.org,au) to access the power of connection.

“Our service has hundreds of participants and volunteers across 19 regions who have had thousands of hours of connection, laughter, education and conversation together,”  Rachael Cook, CEO of Inclusee, a community organisation designed to combat loneliness particularly in the lives of senior Australians in remote and regional areas, says.

“Loneliness can greatly impact physical health, mental health, and overall well-being.”

Covid lockdowns and border closures have exacerbated the problem with many Australians reporting that their isolation from family and friends has worsened. 

Inclusee is calling for participants who are over the age of 65, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over the age of 50, who feel they are at risk of social isolation and loneliness.

The service has been in operation for nearly 50 years, connecting qualified volunteers with older Australians who are in need of social interaction through face-to-face visits, telephone and digital catch ups.

“The programs are absolutely fantastic,” says 79-year-old Jan Wilson, “The idea of having someone to connect with every week and having a laugh is just the best feeling. And it’s like they are sitting there right beside you.”

Ms Cook explains that the Inclusee programs are completely free for participants, though some eligibility conditions apply.

“Volunteers get partnered with participants who have similar interests, and they meet at regular intervals over video. We provide this service to a broad and diverse number of people around Australia and respect the individuality and culture of all people who participate in our programs,” Ms Cook explains.

“While there will never be a substitute for one-on-one, person-to-person contact, simple technologies are opening up exciting prospects for the future of care.

“We use video chat and a user-friendly mobile tablet to keep connected and create enjoyable experiences related to the interests of the individual. The device is pre-configured with bespoke software designed to easily facilitate video chatting for those not already confident with mobile technology.”

Inclusee launched in 1973 under its original name of Golden Years Senior Centre and was recently known as Aurous Ltd. It is funded by various government grants including the Commonwealth Home Support Program and the Federal Community Visitors Scheme throughout the eastern states of Australia. 

“We connect Australians experiencing isolation or loneliness with individuals, groups, family and friends through our easy-to-use digital technology so they can engage, learn and enjoy experiences.  We are a community that encourages and empowers our participants to connect, learn new skills, join in on exciting events, as well as play games or learn about different cultures.

“We offer a virtual community centre that is open 8am-5pm weekdays where participants bring a cuppa, connect with our volunteers and other participants and talk about everything and anything that they wish,” Ms Cook explained.

Inclusee has a range of online clubs and interest groups from learning to shop online to bingo, men’s shed, Greek culture club, and caters for travel enthusiasts and trivia buffs too. 

You can register to participate online at www.inclusee.org.au or call on 1800 287 687.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt has joined two QLD Green MPs-elect Elizabeth Watson-Brown and Max Chandler-Mather from Ryan and Griffith and new QLD Senator-elect Penny Allman-Payne in Brisbane today to celebrate last night’s electoral Greenslide. Mr Bandt said the Greenslide could continue in the coming days with the seats of Brisbane, Macanama and Richmond still to be decided and the Greens in a very strong position.

Mr Bandt also announced that all sitting Greens Senators would be returned and that three new Senators would be elected taking the number of Greens to 12 and balance of power in the Senate as Liberal Senate losses across States and Territories are pushing the Greens closer into sole balance of power. 

Mr Bandt said it was too early to know if Labor would gain a majority or need to govern in minority with as many as eleven seats still in doubt and that Anthony Albanese would need to work with the Greens to ensure stable government and pass legislation through the Parliament. With a record breaking number of postal ballots still entirely uncounted, Labor vs Liberal seats unsettled include Bass, Bennelong, Casey. Deakin, Dickson, Gilmore, Lingiari, Lyons, Menzies, Moore and Sturt. 

Adam Bandt MP said:

“We have five new MPs and Senators and the Greenslide is set to grow in the coming days.”

“People have delivered a mandate for action on climate and inequality. 

“A record number of people have voted for the Greens and we will be in the balance of power in the Senate and possibly the House. The Greens are the most powerful third party in the Parliament.”

“Voters have made it clear they want the Greens to push the Albanese Government to go further and faster on climate change and inequality.”

“We want to work with Anthony Albanese to deliver the stable, effective, progressive government that Australians have voted for, but he will need to work constructively with the Greens and the rest of the crossbench.”

Australia has handed the incoming Labor Government a golden opportunity to work in collaboration to address the significant challenges of inequality and climate change we face, as we continue to emerge from this pandemic, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) said today.

ACOSS CEO, Dr Cassandra Goldie said, “ACOSS congratulates Mr Albanese as Australia’s new Prime Minister and welcomes his strong commitment on behalf of the incoming Labor Federal Government to work in partnership with the community sector. By working together, a brighter, more resilient Australia is within grasp,” Dr Goldie said. 

“This election result represents a powerful message from the community that we reject fear, abuse of government power, misogyny, racism and neglect. 

The electorate has stood up for implementing the Uluru statement from the heart, addressing poverty and inequality including gender equality, acting on climate change and taking a more humane approach to refugees and people seeking asylum. 

The strong influence of so many women in this election marks a new era, with the public signalling a clear desire for a collaborative, focussed Federal Government that works to bring us together to tackle the big economic, social and environmental challenges we so clearly face. 

“Australia is far from finished with this pandemic and our future challenges are significant. 

“The stress people are under could not have been clearer throughout this election campaign, with surging housing costs, increasing poverty, persistent inequality, including gender inequality, and unprecedented extreme weather events being made worse by climate change. 

“There are 2.5 million people receiving income support payments that are less than $70 a day. This includes 900,000 children, 880,000 people unemployed long-term, 490,000 aged 45 or older, 390,000 with a disability, 320,000 caring for a child alone, and 180,000 from First Nations communities. 

Last night’s result is a clear call to action for the Albanese Government to create a more equal community and forge a resilient and brighter future for this and the next generation. With his strong commitment to leave no-one behind, we look forward to working with all those elected to deliver on lifting income supports and wages so people can live with dignity, afford a decent place to call home, get decent employment and work together to tackle climate change, across sectors and regions, towards a brighter future. 

“I want to particularly thank all the thousands of people on low incomes who have stood up and shared their stories, and all those who have stood in solidarity. Australia is a very wealthy country. Far too many people are facing hunger and homelessness each and every day. We know we can end poverty, together, and now is the time. 

ACOSS will be looking to the incoming Federal Government to be bold in facing the challenges ahead by taking the following seven steps:

1.     Lift Income Supports so that everyone has enough to cover the basics: The current, punishingly low rate of income support is forcing people to make heartbreaking decisions between paying their rent or buying food and medicine. An ACOSS-commissioned poll found a clear majority of people believe jobseeker should be increased, with close to 70% agreeing it should be above the poverty line of $70 a day. This Government must prioritise lifting income supports payments, so everyone can cover the basics, within this term of government. 

2.     Ensure everyone has a safe, stable home: Housing is the biggest cost of living pressure for people in Australia right now. Regional rents have risen by 18 per cent over the last two years while Commonwealth Rent Assistance hasn’t had a real increase in 20 years and interest rate rises threaten to push many with mortgages into financial distress. Major housing reforms, including investment in 25,000 social and affordable dwellings per year and an increase to Commonwealth Rent Assistance are urgently needed by this Government to address the growing housing crisis. 

3.     Secure fair, fast and inclusive climate action: People on low incomes must be at the center of a fast, fair and inclusive plan to address climate change and reduce poverty and inequality at the same time. An April survey conducted by ACOSS, 43% of whom receive income supports showed overwhelming concern about the impacts of climate change and that this was important to their vote. Australia urgently needs a plan to ensure that people on lower incomes can access clean technologies like rooftop solar, batteries, and electric vehicles and are not disadvantaged by poorly targeted subsidies, levies, and inequitable cost recovery measures.

4.     Support people to secure paid employment: Hard-won reductions in unemployment are something for Australia to be proud of. But there are still fewer entry-level jobs than before the pandemic, with nine people receiving unemployment payments for every entry-level job vacancy and almost a million people struggling on unemployment payments, together with almost 900,000 people who are employed but need more paid hours, 60% of whom are women. This Government must prioritise an ambition to sustain full employment, where the vast majority of people can obtain employment or the extra paid working hours they need.

5.     Raise the revenue needed to meet the big challenges: As the daily cost of living dominates our lives while Australia faces persistent poverty, high levels of inequality, a rapidly heating world, extreme weather events, and surging housing costs, we need a government that will raise the revenue needed to properly fund essential services and income supports. As an immediate first step, this Government must rescind the unfair and unaffordable ‘’Stage three’’ tax cuts for people on higher incomes.

6.     Secure essential community services: The shadow of COVID is likely to be long, while the rising cost of living and recent extreme weather events are placing more pressure on community services. This year’s Australian Community Sector Survey showed workers are services are stretched beyond the limit. This Government must Create a Community Sector Continuity of Service Enabling Fund to ensure continuity of service delivery, adaptation, secure jobs, prevent loss of jobs or income, and guarantee paid special leave for all workers.

7.     Deliver Self-determination and justice for First Nations Peoples: First Nations’ peoples have spoken, and Vote Compass data shows most Australians support constitutional change to give Indigenous Australians a greater say over their lives. It is beyond time the Australian government delivered Self-Determination for First Nations’ peoples.

Surge of support for the Greens. Griffith, Ryan won, a number of Greens target seats still undecided.

The Greens national vote has surged, putting the party on track for balance of power and electing additional Senators. The Greens have won the seats of Griffith and Ryan, and a number of House of Representatives seats targeted by the Greens are still too close to call with postal vote results key to the outcome.

The Greens are on track for our best result ever with large swings across the country.

Despite the challenges of a change of government election with a major swing from the Liberals to Labor and attention on the rise of the teal independents, the Greens vote has grown with approximately 2 million people voting Greens. Greens preferences have also been crucial in removing Scott Morrison’s government in many Labor and teal seats around the country

Greens Leader Adam Bandt thanked voters, candidates, Party volunteers and members of his Party Room for the strong result and said he wanted to work towards securing a stable, effective and progressive government delivering action on climate and inequality in any power sharing discussions.

Greens Leader Adam Bandt said:

“This is a Greens-slide. The Greens are on track for our best result ever.”

“People have backed the Greens in record numbers and delivered a massive mandate for action on climate and inequality.”

“We have won Griffith and Ryan and we are on track in Brisbane, Macnamara and Richmond, and other target seats are still unresolved. We are on track to elect more Senators and secure the balance of power in the Senate to push for action on climate and inequality.”

“Scott Morrison is gone. For a man who spent his term claiming it’s not his job, now it’s not and the country can celebrate.”

“The Greens have been a big part of removing the Liberals and without us this wouldn’t have happened.”

“In the coming days, if there is a minority Parliament we will work towards delivering a stable, effective and progressive government for the country.”

“I am so proud of our community driven people powered movement and especially welcome the massive turnout of young people, many of whom are voting for the first time who have backed the Greens.”

“This is just the next step in the growth of our movement for climate action and to end inequality. We will continue to go from strength to strength in the community, in the streets and in the Parliament.”

The Federal Government, in consultation with the Federal Opposition, has immediately acted on advice provided by the AEC this morning.

Any voter who has tested positive for COVID-19 after 6pm Friday 13th May will be able to access the Secure Telephone Voting service.

It is important that every Australian who is enrolled and entitled to vote, be able to exercise their democratic right and this change ensures that.