[Greens-Media] Media Release - Community organisations face ongoing funding uncertainty

[Redman, Chris (Sen R. Siewert)]

 25 March 2014

Community organisations face ongoing funding uncertainty
 
The Australian Greens said today that community organisations face ongoing uncertainty about their futures and futures of their clients with the Federal Government failing to confirm whether funding will be available beyond 30 June 2014.
 
"A large number of organisations have raised concerns with me about the ongoing uncertainty they are experiencing, and the Minister's answer in Senate Question Time today will do little to offer any comfort," Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on families and community services said today.
 
"The community sector provides a range of essential services, in areas such as homelessness, family and relationship services, palliative care and financial and emergency counselling. Without adequate support from government, the needs of vulnerable people will go unmet. 
 
"Organisations delivering essential services have still not had contracts or funding arrangements finalised. Many have staff positions that are being affected by this funding uncertainty, with some staff leaving as a result. In my home state of WA, homeless service providers have been told not to accept new clients after the 31st March. 
 
"In the Senate today, the Government would not commit to a timeframe for addressing these funding concerns held by organisations. 

"I am deeply concerned by the fact this uncertainty around funding for the community sector coincides with the lead up to the federal budget and the government's Commission of Audit and Welfare Review process. Cost cutting in areas such as community services will lead to more people falling through the cracks.
 
"The federal government needs to end this uncertainty and announce funding intentions as a matter of urgency," Senator Siewert concluded.
 
Video of the question is available online - http://youtu.be/o2F2Ze-uK1Y