A top-level Community Council has been established to advise the State Government on social justice issues.
Premier Carmen Lawrence today announced the names of the 12-member Social Justice Strategies Council.
"Social Justice issues range from the need for better access to Government services to the unjust treatment and lack of care shown to individuals and groups in our community," Dr Lawrence said.
"The council will be an avenue to provide direct access to Government about community concerns and to recommend ways of meeting those concerns, she said.
"Already the Government has implemented many of the suggestions from the Community and Family Commission.
"Disability services, domestic violence reforms, job and training opportunities and prevention programs are some examples of the Government's action on social justice areas.
"All the initiatives outlined in the Government's Social Advantage package, released in May, have been introduced or will be implemented this year."
The Government would continue to make social justice issues an integral component of its programs.
The new council also would establish a social justice network to ensure the widest possible input into Government policy.
The Social Justice Strategies Council would meet at least twice a year with the State Economic Strategies Council to ensure a balanced approach to the planning of Government policies and programs.
The members of the council were:
Dr Carmen Lawrence (Chair), Ms Carolyn Webster (Director, social justice unit, Department of the Cabinet), Mr Pat Dodson, Ms Maxine Hansen, Rev. Wesley Hartley, Prof. D.L. Jayasuriya, Ms Vida Kamien, Ms Deborah Karasanski, Mr Gregory McIntrye, Dr Charles Watson, and nomineees from the Trades and Labor Council, the West Australian Council of Social Services, and Mr John Hannon (executive officer).
