Housing Summit
We’re thrilled to report that our Housing Summit, held on 27 March at the Glasshouse, was a huge success! Tackling such a broad theme certainly presented its challenges, and there is still plenty more to be said, but I’m proud that FCVic could facilitate conversations on such an important topic, given the current crisis of mortgage and rental stress reported by financial counsellors across Victoria. With skyrocketing housing costs placing unprecedented pressure on households, we strived to create a day that would both contextualize this complex problem and deliver practical, actionable approaches that financial counsellors can implement in client work. A massive thank you to all who participated and contributed to making this event truly impactful. Your insights and expertise have laid a solid foundation for our ongoing advocacy work in this critical area.
Federal Election
With the federal election just announced, we’re gearing up to raise awareness about the pressures facing everyday Australians and how financial counsellors are helping them navigate financial challenges. We’re delighted to be joining forces with Financial Counselling Australia and other state associations to highlight the critical work of financial counsellors in communities across Australia. Together, we’ll be showcasing the real-world impacts of financial hardship and advocating for additional funding for financial counselling services as a key response to the cost-of-living crisis. Stay tuned for more information on how you can get involved and support this coordinated effort.
Special Announcement: October Conference
I’d like to shine a light on something we’ve been generating behind the scenes. Our national Rank the Energy Retailer project has been conducting a powerful circuit of research, creating quite a current in the industry by highlighting which providers truly switch on support for customers in hardship.
Building on this momentum, we’re amping up our advocacy efforts with a conference that will truly electrify the financial counselling sector. This high-voltage event will bring together bright sparks from across Australia to illuminate new pathways for supporting vulnerable consumers. We’re wiring up an incredible program that will charge your batteries, fuel your passion, and help us all resist the mounting pressure of cost-of-living increases.
Together, we’ll power through barriers, conduct meaningful conversations, and ensure no household’s financial well-being gets short-circuited by unfair practices. I’m absolutely buzzing to announce our upcoming conference: Sparking Change!
Ministerial Guidelines for Hardship Policies
At our Housing Summit, the Minister for Consumer Affairs and Local Government, the Hon. Nick Staikos MP, made a special announcement regarding the planned introduction of new Ministerial Guidelines relating to the payment of rates and charges in all 79 LGAs. This development represents a significant step forward in establishing consistent standards and approaches to hardship response to support community members experiencing financial difficulty. Our team is already engaging with the Minister on this and on how to ensure full input from financial counsellors. We are eagerly awaiting more details about the process, and we believe these guidelines will reduce hardship in the community while strengthening the ability of financial counsellors to support vulnerable Victorians seeking assistance from their local councils.
A Personal Note
On a personal note, I’ve recently returned from parental leave following the birth of my daughter, Anthea. These past weeks have been a whirlwind of joy, sleepless nights, and profound gratitude.