12 June 2012
NCOSS welcomes the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to funding important programs for vulnerable and disadvantaged people and communities. However, this commitment provides no growth beyond what has been previously promised.

NCOSS Director, Alison Peters said “We are pleased that the talk of a tough Budget has not seen cuts to important community services. There is however a focus on infrastructure that won’t necessarily help people who need help now.”

“NCOSS is concerned that there is a focus on providing support for home purchasers rather than people in the private rental market who are struggling with unaffordable housing costs,” she said.

Ms Peters said “We were also looking for increased investment in early intervention programs for children, young people and families. These programs are essential if the Government is to meet its target of reducing the numbers of children in out of home care (OOHC).”

NCOSS will continue to advocate that the NSW Government commit the same attention and resourcing to programs and services that build social infrastructure as they have shown for physical and economic infrastructure in this Budget.

Media Contact: Alison Peters, Director 0425 231 814 (mob) 

10 June 2012

NCOSS has called on the NSW Government to balance fairness with fiscal responsibility when it hands down the State Budget on Tuesday.

NCOSS Director, Alison Peters said "The NSW Government has said its focus is on restoring the state's finances so it can fund programs, services and infrastructure. This must not be at the cost of reducing support to people who need that assistance now."

Late last year, NCOSS released its 2012-13 Pre Budget Submission Making NSW Number 1 for Fairness which outlined measures that are necessary to make a difference and reduce levels of disadvantage. Recommendations included:

• Investment to increase the supply of social and affordable housing;
• Increased funding for the public dental system; and
• Funding for NGOs to meet increased wages as a result of the Equal Pay case in line with the Government's commitment to meet their fair share.

Ms Peters said, "It makes absolute sense to invest in programs and support that help people when they most need it so they can get back on their feet and take charge of their own lives. This is an investment that helps the NSW economy in the longer term and builds a strong and fair NSW."

NCOSS will be available for comment on the Budget from 1pm on Tuesday, 12 June.

Media Contact: Alison Peters, Director 0425 231 814 (mob)

13 March 2012
Alison Peters, NCOSS Director, has welcomed the Government's announcement that Justice Wood's recommendation to transfer out-of-home care (OOHC) to the non-government sector will be phased in over ten years. She pointed out that:

"NGOs have provided out-of-home care in NSW for decades. The Government's plan, developed in collaboration the NGO sector, is a planned increase of the capacity of NGOs to provide a greater share OOHC. NGOs also provide early intervention and prevention services, support and other community services. Our role in the child protection system is in partnership with Government. The core child protection functions of Community Services will remain within the public sector under the policy of the NSW Government."

In 2008, Justice Wood recommended that out-of-home care services be transferred to the non government sector as part of a comprehensive review of Child Protection Services in NSW. His report highlighted that both government and non-government organisations have a role to play in ensuring the best interests of children and young people are achieved. The Wood Report proposed that the non government sector have specific responsibility for OOHC to allow Government to concentrate on its core role of investigating and taking appropriate action when children and young people are at risk of significant harm. Justice Wood carefully weighed the evidence in coming to this conclusion.

Opponents of the OOHC transfer have made claims that the non-government sector is less accountable and less regulated than the government sector in out-of-home care. Indeed the reverse is true. For example, the vast majority of established non-government OOHC providers are fully accredited by the Children's Guardian, a standard not yet reached by Community Services OOHC services. Further claims that the cost of OOHC is much greater in the NGO sector and that outcomes are not as good are not borne out by the facts.

NCOSS is committed to working on improving the outcomes for vulnerable children and young people. Unfortunately, at this point in time, way too many are "in the system" and this means that there is much work to be done, whether by experienced and committed workers in Government or their equally experienced and committed counterparts in the non government sector. We would urge that child protection be a matter of collaboration and ongoing discussion to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and young people in this state.

Media Contact: Alison Peters, Director 0425 231 814 (mob) (02) 9211 2599 (wk)

1 February 2012
The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) welcomes the decision today by Fair Work Australia in the Equal Pay Case for community sector workers.

The decision will see increases in pay for workers who work with some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our communities.

NCOSS Director, Alison Peters said, "This is a significant decision in what has been a long process and recognises the value of the work done by the sector. Fair wages will allow for these services to continue being viable and effective".

"The NSW Government has said they will fund their fair share of the outcome from the case. We now need to sit down with the Government and other funders to make sure this happens and give organisations and their staff certainty", Ms Peters said.

"Full funding will allow organisations in the sector to provide fair and equal pay for workers and also develop and support quality services for the people and communities that rely on them," Ms Peters said.

Media Contact: Alison Peters, Director 0425 231 814 (mob) (02) 9211 2599 (wk)

1 February 2012
ACOSS has welcomed today's decision by Fair Work Australia in the landmark equal pay case for community sector workers.

"This is a milestone for equal pay and a crucial step towards ensuring viable, effective social services by requiring appropriate levels of pay for the staff we depend upon to deliver those services," said ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie.

"This decision is the first step in addressing the historical undervaluing of community sector workers. However, we are looking at the longer implementation phase to ensure that it doesn't undermine service effectiveness over time."

"Importantly, to truly give effect to the decision, community organisations need to be funded for higher wages. The decision is fairly moderate in the context of projected salary rises over time, particularly in the public service. This makes it all the more vital that the funding required to cover higher wages is made available as soon as possible."

"We call on all governments, as well as non-government funders to engage directly and immediately with the community sector over implementation of higher wage costs based on full funding for community services," Dr Goldie said.

The decision on the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 found:

• FWA granted higher wage rates as agreed by the ASU and the Commonwealth Government (in November 2011 agreement) and in the order of the rates previously found by the Queensland precedent case.
• FWA ordered that the rates be implemented over a longer period of time than proposed in the application: 8 years in 9 equal instalments.

Media Contact: Fernando de Freitas, ACOSS – 0419 626 155

The Australian and State and Territory Councils of Social Service today warmly welcome the release of the Final report of the Expert Panel on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and fully endorse its recommendations.

In the days and weeks ahead, we again urge all politicians and political parties in the country to show good faith and responsibility, welcoming the considered advice of experts on this important area of long overdue constitutional reform. We must engage in a sincere and mature debate on this important issue. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to include our first peoples in the single most important framing document of our nation.

The official apology to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Stolen Generations in 2008 showed deep community sentiment for a new relationship based on respect and equality. The community services sector knows all too well the enormous disparity that exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in our frontline daily work providing crucial assistance to the most disadvantaged in society.

We know Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples still face gross inequities and are the single most disadvantaged group in our country on virtually every conceivable measure. It is essential that any recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples includes the removal of racially discriminatory elements within the Constitution that can otherwise undermine a statement of recognition.

We look forward to working together with all those committed to social justice and human rights in ensuring that this process of constitutional reform is conducted with informed care, and considered deliberation.

For comment, please contact ACOSS on 0419 626 155

Signatories

• Dr Cassandra Goldie - ACOSS Chief Executive Officer
• Alison Peters - NCOSS Director
• Cath Smith - VCOSS Chief Executive Officer
• Irina Cattalini - WACOSS Chief Executive Officer
• Wendy Morton - NTCOSS Executive Director
• Roslyn Dundas - ACTCOSS Director
• Tony Reidy - TASCOSS Chief Executive Officer
• Mark Henley - QCOSS Director
• Ross Womersley - SACOSS Executive Director

9 December 2011
NCOSS has welcomed the determination made by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to reduce maximum fares for rural bus services, bringing rural bus fares in line with those for country town services from 1 January 2012.

Maximum fares for rural bus services will fall by an average of 8%, making bus fares more affordable for people travelling on contracted services outside country towns, in villages and between villages and towns.

NCOSS Director, Alison Peters, said, "The lack of affordable and accessible transport services is a huge concern for many people living in country NSW. This determination is a small but positive step towards making the transport system fairer for people outside metropolitan areas."

The need to address transport disadvantage is consistently identified as a priority by rural and regional communities, with the lack of transport seen as a barrier to accessing jobs, education, healthcare and other services, and as a major contributor to social exclusion.

Alison Peters said, "In rural and regional areas, bus services are often the only viable transport option for people who, for whatever reason, are unable to access a private vehicle. It’s important, therefore, that this option remains affordable".

NCOSS will continue to advocate for other improvements to transport services in rural and regional areas, including the lack of services, inequities in concessions, and accessibility.  

Media Contact: Alison Peters, Director 0425 231 814 (mob); (02) 9211 2599 (wk)

10 November 2011
NCOSS welcomes the announcement today by Prime Minister, The Hon Julia Gillard, MP to commit $2billion over 6 years to fund equal pay for workers who work with some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in our communities.

28 October 2011
As Children's Week (23-29 October) focuses attention on our youngest Australians, the NSW Children's Services Forum has welcomed the release by the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs of the draft Education and Care Services National Regulations, which will improve the quality of early childhood education and care services across Australia. The NSW Children's Services Forum collectively represents around 2,000 services across NSW that are affected by these regulations.