Page 2881 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
The key aspect of a social firm or enterprise is that it has a supportive work environment and that needs of employees requiring support are built into the design of the workplace. The typical model applied for a social firm is that it dedicates between 25 and 50 per cent of positions to employees with a disability or who are disadvantaged, pays all workers at award/productivity-based rates, provides all employees with the same employment opportunities, rights and obligations and generates the majority of its income through the commercial activity of the business.
On this last point, it is important to note that a social enterprise is a business which has to generate an income and be competitive with other similar businesses. It also employs a mixed workforce—for example, people with and without a disability. The dominant culture created is one of good health and productivity for all employees, leading to a positive work environment.
It is important to emphasise the previous points I have made as I think there is a perception by some—and it seems quite evident from Mrs Dunne’s speech—or an apprehension towards social enterprises that these business will not be viable and that agencies, companies or governments will be taking a risk by contracting out to or engaging the service of social enterprises. As I have already noted, these businesses have to be competitive and operate under the expectation that they need to be competitive. The experience from overseas and interstate, and indeed here in the ACT, shows that they are more than successful in meeting this objective.
From the Social Ventures Australia website, they note that as an organisation they aim to support the development of social enterprises that are based around creating real work for real pay either as a transition to the open labour market or as an alternative labour market for those people who need a supportive work environment. The key point is that it is about creating work and business opportunities for people with a disability or who are disadvantaged and need some additional support in the workplace. It is about giving people the opportunity to become economic participants in daily life and gain the benefits that come with that. And that includes being a participating member of their community
I firmly believe that the ACT, due to its size and because of the opportunities that having a large number of public service agencies bring, can look to create significant employment opportunities through social ventures and actually achieve this. As I have said, it is not a new concept and one of the key issues is getting people to support and understand the concept. And that is why the government needs to take a lead role and support social ventures through procurement processes.
While there has been the development of a policy and guidelines in the ACT, there needs to be actual processes in place through government which do not just make agencies aware of the policy but actually encourage them to support social enterprises through contract arrangements and ensure that this is something which is considered in procurement processes.
I do acknowledge that the government has been supportive of the social enterprise hub and through the hub, as has already been mentioned, we have businesses such as Cafe
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video