Committee Details

Committee'S report

The committee tabled its report on 6 December 2021.

About the inquiry

On 27 May 2021, the Legislative Assembly agreed to a motion that the Community Support and Services Committee inquire into and report on social isolation and loneliness in Queensland (the Inquiry). The committee is required to report to the Legislative Assembly by Monday 6 December 2021.

The terms of reference for the Inquiry are that the committee inquire into and report on:

• the nature and extent of the impact of social isolation and loneliness in Queensland, including but not limited to:
  • identification of and consultation with vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals or groups at significant risk across the life course
  • the interplay of COVID-19 with this issue
• the causes and drivers of social isolation and loneliness, including those unique to Queensland
• the protective factors known to mitigate social isolation and loneliness
• the benefits of addressing social isolation and loneliness, examples of successful initiatives undertaken nationally and internationally and how to measure social isolation and loneliness in Queensland to determine if implemented strategies are effective
• how current investment by the Queensland Government, other levels of government, the non-government, corporate and other sectors may be leveraged to prevent, mitigate and address the drivers and impacts of social isolation and loneliness across Queensland, including:
  • services and programs such as health and mental health, transport, housing, education, employment and training, sport and recreation, community services and facilities, digital inclusion, volunteering, the arts and culture, community development, and planning for accessible, inclusive and connected communities
  • targeted support to vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and those most at risk
• the role, scope and priorities of a state-wide strategy to address social isolation and loneliness, considering interactions with existing Queensland and national strategies.

Timeline