The Treasurer is keen on companies, governments and investors working together to improve society but some worry that could lead to the ‘privatisation’ of traditional social services.
When Treasurer Jim Chalmers unveiled his “values-based” capitalism model last week, one of the central pillars of his plan was impact investing – or governments, businesses and investors working together to deliver better social outcomes.
Measurable social outcomes such as getting the jobless into work, housing the disadvantaged and improving people’s health, can be rewarded by government payments. At other times, the investments can be profitable, such as from building social housing for people funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The NSW Office of Social Impact Investment has also partnered with investors on programs to tackle homelessness, domestic violence, palliative care, mental health and youth employment. Over time, the joint fund would aim to mobilise capital from other investors including superannuation funds, and industry participants believe it could deliver risk-adjusted returns of about 5 per cent annually.
“I saw the market evolve with foundations, new investors and government intervention,” Smith says. “In Australia, I think there is a huge opportunity for organisations to work together to capture the momentum generated by the growing level of interest in impact investment.” “But it’s also a purposeful choice – we want to change the dynamics of politics, towards a system where Australians and businesses are clear and active participants in shaping a better society.”Yet, not everyone is convinced that governments should be relying more on the private sector and philanthropists to deliver social outcomes.
“The private sector has made enormous profits out of aged care and child care, and the superannuation funds need to generate a commercial rate of return for any asset they invest in.” Liz Cameron-Smith leads the Australian arm of the Foyer Foundation, which runs integrated learning and accommodation settings for young people, typically aged from 16 to 24 years, who are at risk of or experiencing, homelessness.
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