16 June 2009

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

The Budget outlines significant resources to:

• Meet the commitments given by the Government to implement the Keep Them Safe Action Plan;
• Continue the Stronger Together Plan to support people with disabilities and their carers;
• Provide much needed investment in public and community housing; and
• Support low income and disadvantaged families meet the increasing costs of energy and water.

NCOSS Director, Alison Peters, said that it was important that the NSW Government were putting resources towards helping people during very tough economic circumstances.

"Given the well documented levels of homelessness and housing stress facing low income households, it is good to see the Federal and NSW Governments working together at last to build extra affordable rental housing", Ms Peters said.

However, the $64m foregone by removing stamp duty on new housing built (up to $600,000 in value) in the next six months would have greater impact if invested in affordable housing projects by NGOs.

NCOSS also welcomes the additional money that will go towards implementing the Keep Them Safe reforms that will improve the well-being and safety of all children and young people.

"Despite this investment, however, the focus remains very much on treating the symptoms of child abuse and neglect rather than addressing the root causes of disadvantage, when we really need investment in both", said Ms Peters. Family Support Services, youth services and neighbourhood centres, which provide important universal support services that address family and community needs, appear to have missed out again in receiving a much needed boost to their funding.

NCOSS is also concerned that despite evidence of growing demand for non-government community services and with many NGOs finding it hard to recruit and retain suitable qualified staff, there is very little investment in the ongoing viability of these vital community services. Ms Peters said that while there had been significant investment in buildings, roads and transport infrastructure the same investment had not been made in the people who deliver the social services and support that struggling families most need.

Media Contact:
Alison Peters (NCOSS) Mob: 0425 231 814 Tel: (02) 9211 2599