A sold out delegation of over 180 leaders, industry experts, practitioners and supporters of the Tasmanian community services industry will gather in Hobart for the TasCOSS Conference 2023 over the next two days. Together, we will explore broad trends impacting the industry including workforce development and sustainability, lived experience advocacy and community-led, place-based practice.
The TasCOSS Conference 2023 Program features keynote presentations from author and journalist, Rick Morton, CEO of the Grattan Institute, Danielle Wood, international thought leader, Mark Cabaj, and ACOSS CEO, Dr Cassandra Goldie AO.
TasCOSS CEO, Ms Adrienne Picone, said the TasCOSS Conference came at a critical point for the community services industry which is facing a health, housing and cost of living crisis, increased demand for services and inadequate funding to support the delivery of essential services to Tasmanians in need.
“ACOSS CEO, Dr Cassandra Goldie AO, will be joining us to explore the future of the industry through critical issues facing the community services industry and the many communities we support, now and into the future, as well as what we can be doing to address these challenges,” Ms Picone said.
“Keynote speaker Danielle Wood will address delegates on wellbeing in Tasmania and point to critical policy changes in social security, housing and care services that are needed if Tasmania is going to significantly shift the dial on the wellbeing of its population.
“While Rick Morton will share lessons from the cruel trap of Robodebt, the perversity of mutual obligations, a Kafka-esque National Disability Insurance Scheme, and the inequality engine that is the housing crisis.”
Ms Picone said the program also features a range of engaging sessions, including a workshop from Dr Any Imms on preventing and managing workplace burnout, a panel discussion on the power of people featuring four advocates, allies and activists for change, as well as lived experience in governance masterclass.
“The community services industry is critical to Tasmania’s society, delivering essential services statewide and contributing $1.9 billion each year to the Tasmanian economy,” Ms Picone said.
“This conference provides an important opportunity for the industry to come together to explore crucial issues facing the industry and how to continue to achieve sustainable outcomes for our industry and the Tasmanians we support.”
The TasCOSS Conference 2023 will be held over two days at Blundstone Arena Function Centre, Bellerive from Tuesday 29 August to Wednesday 30 August 2023. For more information, please download the TasCOSS Conference 2023 Program.