A compassionate Australia

A Compassionate Australia: Building a Nation That Cares

Introduction

A truly great nation is measured not only by its economic success but by how it treats its most vulnerable. A Compassionate Australia is one that ensures secure housing, fair social support systems, and a rehabilitative approach to justice, empowering individuals to contribute positively to society.

By drawing on the best policies from around the world—including Finland’s Housing First model, Austria’s social housing framework, and Norway’s rehabilitative prison system—Australia has the opportunity to create a fairer, more inclusive society that benefits all its citizens.

Housing First: Learning from Finland

Homelessness is one of the most pressing social issues in Australia, but solutions exist. Finland’s Housing First policyhas demonstrated that providing stable housing before addressing other social issues leads to significantly lower homelessness rates and better long-term outcomes.

How Housing First Works:

Housing is provided unconditionally, ensuring people have a stable environment before addressing employment, addiction, or mental health challenges.
Wraparound services offer tailored support, including healthcare, financial planning, and job assistance.
Homelessness has been virtually eradicated in Finland, proving that secure housing is the foundation for a productive life.

How Australia Can Implement This:

Shift policies from temporary shelters to permanent housing solutions.
Integrate housing with healthcare and employment services.
Prioritise affordable, long-term rentals over crisis accommodation.

Social Housing: Austria’s Model for Affordability

Australia’s housing crisis is exacerbated by rising property costs and a lack of affordable rentals. Austria’s social housing model demonstrates that when governments invest in long-term, non-profit-driven housing, affordability and accessibility improve for all.

Key Aspects of Austria’s Social Housing Model:

Over 60% of Vienna’s residents live in high-quality social housing that is well-integrated into the city.
Mixed-income housing developments prevent social segregation and ensure affordability.
Long-term government investment in housing ensures stability and reduces market volatility.

How Australia Can Benefit:

Increase government investment in public and community-owned housing.
Implement rent control and long-term tenancy protections.
Ensure social housing developments are well-designed, mixed-income communities.

Rehabilitative Prisons: The Norwegian Approach

Australia’s prison system is costly and ineffective, with high reoffending rates. Norway’s rehabilitative justice modeloffers an alternative approach that reduces crime and creates safer communities.

What Makes Norway’s System Effective:

Prisons focus on rehabilitation, not punishment, ensuring that inmates develop skills for reintegration.
Education and job training programs prepare inmates for employment post-release.
Lower reoffending rates (20% in Norway vs. 50%+ in Australia) prove that this system reduces long-term crime.

Applying This to Australia:

Reform prison conditions to focus on education, therapy, and job training.
Expand rehabilitation programs for non-violent offenders.
Increase post-release support to prevent reoffending.

Conclusion: A Nation That Cares for All

A Compassionate Australia is one that provides its people with the support needed to thrive, not just survive. By adopting policies that have already succeeded in Finland, Austria, and Norway, we can create a system that ensures:

Housing is a right, not a privilege.
Social housing is high-quality, affordable, and sustainable.
Justice is rehabilitative, reducing crime and reoffending.

The Advance Australia Party believes that true national strength comes from taking care of all citizens—because when everyone has the support they need, we all benefit.

It’s time to Advance Australia towards a fairer, more compassionate future.