Member news

The Integrated Services Project between Social Security Rights Victoria and FCVic is now in its second year, bringing together the work of specialist social security lawyers and financial counsellors. This update welcomes the project’s new financial counsellor and provides information on service continuity arrangements.

In alternating issues of the Devil’s Advocate, the FCVic Chairperson contributes a message to the sector. This month, Colin Harte delivers a message of hope for the financial counselling sector.

In alternating issues of the Devil’s Advocate, the FCVic Executive Officer contributes a message to the sector. This month, Sandy Ross details the busy – but exciting – start to the year for the financial counselling sector.

In each issue of the Devil’s Advocate, FCVic shines the spotlight on one of our members. This month, Sarah Brown-Shaw, financial counsellor at Consumer Action Law Centre’s National Debt Helpline, talks about her love for her role and the variety it presents.

Social Security Rights Victoria Inc. (‘SSRV’) and Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic) are continuing their partnership in 2020. The Integrated Services Project (ISP) has been funded for a second year. We look forward to continuing to improve client outcomes by bringing together the work of specialist social security lawyers and financial counsellors.

In alternating issues of the Devil’s Advocate, the FCVic Chairperson contributes a message to the sector. This month, Colin Harte discusses the financial counselling sector response to the bushfire disaster.

Researchers at Melbourne Law School have published an article drawing on the views of financial counsellors, consumer solicitors and other advocates on their experiences of assisting women with debt problems resulting from economic abuse.

In each issue of the Devil’s Advocate, FCRC shines the spotlight on one of our members. This month, Joy Mason talks about her eye-opening decision to “go West” and step outside her comfort zone. Joy has spent the past 12 months working in remote WA communities, and offers encouragement for others to give it a go.

Do existing laws help consumers recover from over-indebtedness? A call for participants for the next phase of my research. In the June 2019 edition of the Devil’s Advocate, I told readers about my research on the impacts of bankruptcy, debt agreements and financial difficulty assistance. I invited financial counsellors to help promote my study by letting relevant clients (or former clients) know about the opportunity to complete an online survey about their experiences. I am very grateful to those who were able to assist. I am now starting a new phase of the data collection, and inviting financial counsellors, insolvency practitioners, and others who work in the sector to share their insights on the different options. Interested practitioners can complete an anonymous online survey for the study, available here: https://melbourneuni.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6RRwGzecQs8dxQx. The debtor surveys also remain open for a few more weeks, so I am still keen to hear from you if you can help by promoting the surveys to clients and/or former clients, and/or through social media. Please contact me for more information (including suggested text for social media or an email to clients) ([email protected] or (07) 3138 2006), or follow the link for more details (link to full article).

In alternating issues of the Devil’s Advocate, the FCRC Chairperson contributes a message to the sector. This month, Colin Harte reflects on the “exciting times” ahead for the financial counselling sector, and welcomes the new FCRC Board elected at the AGM in October.