About the Brotherhood

The Brotherhood of St Laurence began during the Great Depression, as the vision and creation of Father Gerard Tucker, a man who combined his Christian faith with a fierce determination to end social injustice.

Based in Melbourne, but with a national profile, the Brotherhood continues to work for an Australia free of poverty.
 
We undertake research, develop and deliver services, and engage in advocacy. Our aim is to address unmet needs in innovative ways and translate our learning from research and services into new policies, new programs and practices which can be implemented by government and others.

Our vision: an Australia free of poverty

We work with others to create an Australia free of poverty for this and future generations: a fair, compassionate and just society where all can fully participate in social and economic life, create and share prosperity and treat each other with dignity and respect. In working for an Australia free of poverty, we recognise the Indigenous custodians of this country.

Our mission

Our mission is to research, develop and deliver innovative and high quality services, practices and policies to drive change that benefits all Australians.

Our values

The Brotherhood, inspired by our Christian origins, seeks the common good through compassion, with a generosity of spirit and reliance on evidence.

Our guiding objectives

• To prevent and reduce poverty and exclusion from the mainstream of society

We will focus on those people at greatest risk at the four life transition stages considered critical to future well being: the early years, the transition from school to work, the shifts in and out of work, and retirement and ageing.

• To be a national voice on poverty and exclusion

We will promote integrated social and economic policies and programs that improve the personal capacities and material resources of people and of their communities.

• To develop innovative policy, programs and practice

We will develop and gather evidence through research and practice to create innovative policies and programs for implementation by ourselves and others.

Our Strategic Plan

Download a copy of our 2012 - 2014 Strategic Plan (PDF file, 618KB)