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Media Releases

As the peak body for the social and community services sector in NSW, we work with our members, on behalf of disadvantaged people in communities, towards achieving social justice in NSW. We bring the plights of disadvantaged people to the attention of government and the wider community by distributing regular press releases.

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Current Releases

Teeth Matter! Launch of Oral Health Advocacy Kit for Community and Welfare NGOs PDF Print E-mail

3 August 2010
Issues in Oral Health for Low Income and Disadvantaged Groups in NSW: an Advocacy Kit for Community and Welfare Non‐Government Organisations
will be launched by the NSW Oral Health Alliance tomorrow, 4 August 2010 during Dental Health Week 2010.

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Announcements welcome but more work to do PDF Print E-mail

8 June 2010
NCOSS today welcomed several of the announcements in the NSW State Budget:

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NSW State Budget – still work to be done PDF Print E-mail

7 June 2010
The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS), the state's peak organisation for the non government community services sector, has called on the State Government to remember that there is still much work to be done to make NSW not just economically sound but also fair as it prepares for tomorrow's State Budget being handed down.

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Resignation of Minister a blow PDF Print E-mail

4 June 2010
Today's announcement by Graham West resigning as the Minister for Juvenile Justice was received with some disappointment by NCOSS and many others in the community sector. In his time as Minister, Mr West has demonstrated a real commitment to changing the juvenile justice system to provide young people with opportunities for a better life. He has also been open and willing to listen to community sector organisations, and others, about how this could best be achieved.

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MyZone a good first step for fairer transport PDF Print E-mail

19 April 2010

The new MyZone public transport tickets are a great step forward for integrated tickets and lower costs for many commuters. NCOSS has welcomed the creation of the MyZone fare structure because it has resulted in a simpler fare structure across modes of transport and capped transport costs for regular commuters travelling longer distances.

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Better oral health for low income and disadvantaged people PDF Print E-mail

9 April 2010
The NSW Oral Health Alliance says it is disappointed that little has been done to rectify poor oral health for low income and disadvantaged people in New South Wales one year after releasing a dental Report in the NSW Parliament in April last year.

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Vote 1 Fairness in NSW PDF Print E-mail

29 March 2010
To mark 12 months before the NSW State Election, NCOSS, the peak body for non government social and community services, today launched its 2011 Election Platform, Vote 1 Fairness in NSW.

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Support to pay electricity bills welcomed PDF Print E-mail

18 March 2010
The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) has welcomed the announcement today by the NSW Government to extend energy rebates for low income households.

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Consumers slugged by electricity prices rises PDF Print E-mail

18 March 2010
The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) has called on the NSW Government to respond to today's decision by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal to increase electricity prices by between 20% and 42% over the next three years by increasing energy rebates and extending eligibility for rebates to a greater number of low income earners.

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Lock up not the only answer for NSW kids PDF Print E-mail

27 October 2009
Leading NSW community organisations agree that too many children and young people are being held in detention before sentencing simply because they have nowhere else to go.

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Good start but not enough for people doing it tough PDF Print E-mail

16 June 2009

The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) today welcomed the investment in vital community services contained in the State Budget.

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Growing demand for community services must be addressed in NSW State Budget PDF Print E-mail

12 June 2009

Demand for community services is outstripping the capacity of non government community service organisations to provide support and assistance according to the NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS).

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Drowning Not Waving: NSW Preschool Fees on the Rise PDF Print E-mail

12 May 2009

A report launched today indicates that preschools are increasing their fees because of inadequate funding from the NSW State Government.

Drowning Not Waving: Community Based Preschools After Years of Funding Neglect, compiled by the NSW Children’s Services Forum, reveals that the average preschool fees are $38.50 per day in metropolitan preschools and $27.70 per day for rural preschools. Preschool fees have increased by approximately 18% over the last three years.

"Community based preschools in NSW receive less State funding than preschools in other states. This disparity has increased significantly over the past two decades," explained Christine Legg, KU's General Manager of Early Childhood Education and Care. "Small increases in funding over the last few years have not bridged the gap, making preschool unaffordable for many NSW families."

"Higher fees restrict access to preschool for low income and disadvantaged families" said Alison Peters, Director of the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS). "Children from disadvantaged families gain the most benefit from a quality preschool program, helping them transition to school, improving attendance, literacy and numeracy."

“The NSW Government’s new preschool funding system requires preschools to maximise attendance for children attending two days per week” explained Arianne Simon, Director of St Stephens Preschool (Normanhurst). “The low funding from the NSW Government means we have to increase fees and as fees rise families who are struggling withdraw their children from preschool, which reduces our funding further.”

“Access to quality education and care for four year olds is diminishing. This is more pronounced for children experiencing financial and/or locational disadvantage” states Elizabeth Death, Director of UnitingCare Children’s Services.

The Australian Government's goal is for universal access to preschool in the year before school. To achieve this goal, the Australian Government will provide the NSW Government with around $270 million over five years. "The Australian Government funding needs to be distributed wisely and the NSW Government needs to find additional money from its own sources for NSW preschools to become affordable and universally accessible. Whilst the NSW government has increased its investment in NSW preschools over the last few years, a still higher level of funding is needed to ensure these preschools remain viable. Children should not miss out on the benefits of an early childhood education because they were born in NSW" said Carol Lymbery, CEO of Community Child Care Co-operative.

The NSW Children’s Services Forum is comprised of state-wide, not-for-profit community based children's service organisations. The Forum aims to: promote the role of not-for-profit children’s services; advise governments on the quality, range and provision of children's services; and engage in regular dialogue with other stakeholders in children’s services.

The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) is the peak body for the social and community services sector in New South Wales. NCOSS works with its members on behalf of disadvantaged people and communities towards achieving social justice in NSW. NCOSS provides an independent voice on welfare policy issues and social and economic reforms. It is the major coordinator for non-government social and community services in NSW.

The report is available at http://www.ncoss.org.au/content/view/1909/111  

Contact:

  • Alison Peters (NCOSS) Mob: 0425 231 814 Tel: 02 9211 2599
  • Christine Legg (KU) Tel: 02 9268 3907
  • Carol Lymbery (CCCC) Tel: 02 8922 6401
  • Ariane Simon (St Stephen's Preschool, Normanhurst) Tel: 02 9489 2058
  • Elizabeth Death (UnitingCare Children’s Services) Tel 02 8267 4244
 
NSW community groups paint grim picture on oral health PDF Print E-mail

10 March 2009
A new Report conducted on behalf of the NSW Oral Health Alliance paints a grim picture about the oral health of clients of non-government human service organisations in New South Wales.

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Wood Inquiry Report into Child Protection Services welcomed PDF Print E-mail
24 November 2008
The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) has welcomed today's release of the Report of the Wood Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services.
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NCOSS calls on Rees Government to remember the most disadvantaged in NSW Mini Budget PDF Print E-mail

10 November 2008
The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) has today called on the NSW Government to remember the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community when they hand down tomorrow’s mini budget.

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NCOSS calls on NSW Government to spend more on social infrastructure PDF Print E-mail
2 June 2008
With the NSW Budget being handed down tomorrow, the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) has called for Treasurer Costa to remember that investment in community services is as important for NSW as spending on physical infrastructure like railways, roads and buildings.
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Five year plan needed to address housing affordability in NSW PDF Print E-mail
4 March 2008
Yesterday’s welcome announcement of measures to address Australia’s housing affordability problem needs to be followed by a five year plan to expand the provision of affordable rental housing in NSW, according to the State’s peak welfare organisation.
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Slow Changes PDF Print E-mail
31 January 2008
The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) continues its call today for greater investment by NSW in public services following the release of the Productivity Commission Report on Government Services 2008.
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Inquiry into NSW health system misses the mark PDF Print E-mail
30 January 2008
The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) today expressed concern over the terms of reference for the special commission of inquiry into the delivery of patient care within the NSW Public Health System.
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