The Big Issue (Australia)

The Big Issue
Categories Entertainment and Current Affairs
Frequency Fortnightly
Company The Big Issue
Country Australia
Language English
Website thebigissue.org.au

The Big Issue in Australia is a street newspaper which began in 1996. The Australian edition of the paper is a project of the UK-based The Big Issue. The first magazine was launched in Australia on the steps of Melbourne’s Flinders Street railway station on 16 June 1996.[1]

Since its founding in 1996, about 6,500 street vendors have sold more than 10 million copies of the magazine, collectively earning $23 million.[2] Today, the magazine typically sells for $7.[3]

At the paper's headquarters in Melbourne, the publication of each new edition includes a launch breakfast for local vendors. The editor then goes through what’s in the edition and receives feedback from vendors.[4]

People

Steven Persson is the paper's CEO.[5]

Amy Heatherington is the magazine's editor.[4]

Vendors

In Australia, vendors are homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged people from a range of disadvantaged backgrounds, including those suffering from mental health conditions or gambling addictions.[6]

Housing support project

In 2015 The Big Issue Australia founded a project called Homes for Homes, an initiative that will help raise an ongoing supply of new funding for social and affordable houses. The voluntary initiative encourages homeowners, property developers and banks to make a tax deductible donation of 0.1 per cent of their property price, at the time they sell. Funds raised through Homes for Homes are distributed to social housing providers to build properties based on the areas of greatest housing need.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "About - The Big Issue". The Big Issue.
  2. ↑ "'A hand up, not a hand out': The Big Issue celebrates 20 years". ABC News. 3 June 2016.
  3. ↑ Doherty, Megan (11 December 2015). "The Big Issue puts out its 500th edition as Peter finds self-esteem on the streets as a vendor". Canberra Times.
  4. 1 2 "Can a charity magazine be both? A question for The Big Issue's new editor". Crikey.com.au. 31 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "Our People - The Big Issue". The Big Issue.
  6. ↑ "The Big Issue making life brighter for mental health sufferers". ABC News. 8 October 2015.
  7. ↑ "homes for homes, The big issue". Homes for Homes.
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