b'Inclusion andConfronting equity for allinjusticeIt is core to our foundation to create an inclusive, connected We raise a collective voice to speak up for those who may not be heard.and just world. Welcoming everyone, without judgement.of a one-year extension to the National Housingorganisation, free from discrimination based onWe ramped up our activity and deliveredand Homelessness Agreement. In our Strategy we acknowledge that gender identity, sex or sexuality.unique and powerful advocacy based on the there are groups who experiencelived experience of our consumers.Addressing poverty particularly entrenched causes of inequalityTo coincide with Midsumma, members of theWe looked to address disadvantageand inequality and we will pay particular attention to theirRainbow Group recorded a pronouns and inclusiveand vulnerability at a systemic level, by needs and aspirations. These include peoplelanguage video to help share with our workforceinfluencing public policy and attitudinalIn 2022, with the Centre for Social Impact living with disability, Aboriginal and Torresand explain why using the right pronouns matter. change through submissions to nineteenat Swinburne University of Technology, we surveyed 112 of our consumers about theStrait Islanders, people who identify asInitiating action for peopleinquiries and consultations. impact of rising costs. LGBTIQA+, refugees and asylum seekers, and people from culturally and linguisticallyliving with a disability Launched during Anti-Poverty Week, ourdiverse communities. Ending conversionCant afford to live report found that 92%Results from our consumer experience surveyhad cut back on food and groceries, with onehighlighted that nearly 40 per cent of ourpractices in Tasmania in two experiencing mental health impacts.LGBTIQA+ inclusion consumers were living with a disability. This wasIn March 2023, we partnered with the UnitingIt provided clear evidence that our consumers a driving factor for us to create a Disability EquityChurch Synod of Victoria and Tasmania to helpwere experiencing deepening financial, housing The depth of our LGBTIQA+ inclusive practiceSteering and Action Group. This new group isend harmful conversion practices in Tasmania. Weand food insecurity; severely impacting their initiatives for the workforce and consumers werebeing formed to oversee the development andwrote to all members of the Tasmanian Parliamentmental and physical health and increasing their acknowledged again this year with a Gold Providerimplementation of a Disability Equity approach asking them to support the introduction andsocial isolation. status in the Pride in Health + Wellbeing Index.at Uniting.passing of legislation to protect people from theAs part of our commitment to provide a platform This is a national benchmarking instrument usedThis group will promote advocacy and allyshipharm of sexual orientation and gender identityfor consumers to have their voices heard by to assessLGBTIQA+ inclusionwithin the Australianto actively embed the Disability Equity approachchange efforts.decision makers, we utilised the evidence to health and wellbeing sector. across Uniting. This work will be led by individualsThe letter was read in full in the House ofinform our submissions and appearances at public Uniting was also awarded Service Provider of with lived experience of a disability. Assembly by former Leader of the Tasmanianhearings during the year.the Year, ahead of 30 participating organisations.Greens, Cassy OConnor MP. In accepting the awards on behalf of Uniting,Culturally and linguisticallyFind out moreCEO, Bronwyn Pike spoke to our values. diverse inclusion Partnering for homelessness Here at Uniting our four values are that Formed 18 months ago, our Culturally andfunding securitywe are imaginative, that we are bold, we areLinguistically Diverse (CALD) Working GroupWe joined our homelessness sector colleagues in a respectful, and we are compassionate. We have made great strides to develop and start national campaign to call for retaining of the Equal cant be any of those things if were not anto embed our CALD action plan.Remuneration Order (ERO) wage supplement. inclusive organisation. The $65 million proposed funding cuts to the ERO And so, weve invested in many ways to ensureThis year we added five days of significance forwould have equated to a loss for Uniting of $1.25 that anyone who comes to receive a service orculturally diverse communities, as endorsedmillion in 2023-2024 alone. support from Uniting knows we are an inclusiveby the group. By doing this, we aim to send organisation. We take the rainbow of humana message of support and encouragementThe campaign, led by Homelessness Australia, experience seriously, and ensure that it isfor people to celebrate those days which arewas a collaborative effort made more successful culturally important to them. by the enthusiasm of Uniting senior leadership embedded in everything that we do. and practitioners. Our Rainbow Working Group continues to guideFind out more In March, we welcomed the Federal our development as a culturally safe and inclusiveGovernments announcement of fundingsecurity for homelessness services as part24 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report'