Senator the Hon Ursula Stephens hosted a Regional Social Inclusion Forum on Thursday, 11 June 2009 in Goulburn, NSW.

The forum was an opportunity for local non profit organisations and businesses to come together to develop a regional social inclusion strategy. The aim of the strategy is to bring together services and community activities in a collaborative way to tackle disadvantage and create opportunities for learning and engagement across the region.

Senator Stephens gave an overview of the Social Inclusion Agenda, and emphasised early intervention, long term investment, coordinated services, information sharing, and create space for flexibility and innovation. She also referred to the new Regional Development Australia that will start 1 July. The Regional Development Australia network is being progressed through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. These networks are being established throughout Australia to provide a strategic framework for economic growth in each region.

Kerry Graham CEO of Inspire Foundation and a member of the Australian Social Inclusion Board, attended the meeting and provided information on the Board's priority work for 2009. Kerry emphasised the importance of early intervention mechanisms in tackling disadvantage amongst vulnerable Australians.

The forum broke into groups and discussed issues such as networking, partnerships, employment pathways and community engagement. Some ideas that came from these discussions included the establishment of an area coordinator; a community hub that acts as a one-stop shop for citizens; a local service directory to assist community organisations in referring services; community attitude campaign on a socially inclusive society; and, longer funding agreements with government for community organisations.

Senator Stephens said she was pleased with the outcomes of the forum and was looking forward to hearing from the local committee on its progress.