by Alison Peters, NCOSS Director

When NCOSS released its Pre-Budget Submission (PBS) last year we said that the PBS sought to balance the many pressing priorities in the community with the fact that there are limited resources available.

NCOSS also said that as a peak advocacy body we needed to advocate both for the “popular” front of mind issues but also for those that are often overlooked to ensure that vulnerable people, whatever their vulnerability, are supported.

• an additional $24.4m rising to a total recurrent budget of $100m in 2014-15 for the Provision of Appliances for Disabled People (PADP);
• $10.65m recurrent for health related transport;
• $7m p.a. for a residential bail support program for young people and $5.7m p.a. for intensive residential bail support services for adults;
• Increase by $12m over four years for Community Transport;
• $25m recurrent to provide greater supported community living options for people with a disability and to continue the devolution of people with a disability from institutions;
• $50m p.a. for community development through the Community Services Grants Program (CSGP);
• An increase in funding for public dental services to $258m recurrent in 2013-14;
• An increase in funding for community legal centres of $3.51m p.a.

The PBS also recognised the importance of a viable social and community services sector in delivering services by recommending a suite of measures to build the capacity and effectiveness of non-government organisations (NGOs):

• through funding the development of an industry plan ($1.5m over three years);
• improve the use of information and communications technology ($5.1m over three years); and
• to provide appropriate indexation to NGOs to meet anticipated workforce costs over the next three years (approximately $150m rising to $168m p.a. recurrent).

The NSW Government has made some announcements since NCOSS launched its PBS that mean some recommendations have already been taken up, at least in part. For example, the Government has agreed to extending energy rebates to those low income households eligible for a Health Care Card, has announced the trial of a residential bail hostel for young people and also introduced legislation to establish a Domestic Violence Homicide Review Team. These are very welcome announcements.

Since the PBS was released last year there has also been some other changes. There is a new Premier, the Honourable Kristina Keneally, who in her first statement on being elected leader by the Labor Caucus, reaffirmed her commitment to looking after the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in NSW. There is also a better than expected economic and financial environment than that outlined by Treasurer Roozendaal in the 2009-10 State Budget. This means that, like the recent Federal Budget, the projection is that there will be a return to surplus earlier than expected.

Also like the Federal Budget, the 2010-11 State Budget is the last before an election. In the current economic and political environment it is anticipated that there will not be the big spending initiatives designed to lure voters like there have been in the past and that the State Budget will be cast as a “fiscally responsible” one.

What remains to be seen is if the Budget will also be fair.

NCOSS has argued many times that being “fiscally responsible” is not inconsistent with being fair and socially just. It makes absolute sense to invest in programs and support that help vulnerable people to build their capacity and resilience so that they can live “normal” lives and make the most of the opportunities that many of us take for granted. It makes sense to ensure services are in place so that when people are doing it tough they get the support they need before their circumstances get worse. For NCOSS, social and community services are an investment in wellbeing that improves the state’s “balance sheet” rather than just being a cost in the “profit and loss statement”.

While it is good to see the overall economic situation improve we must never forget that the two speed economy that existed before the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) still remains. Far too many people struggle, and will continue to struggle, until governments prioritise their needs and invest in programs, services and support that will make a difference to the lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people and communities.

NCOSS will be judging the NSW Budget to see if it is both fiscally responsible and socially just. Our analysis will not just be based on seeing whether or not the individual recommendations contained in the NCOSS PBS have been adopted but, when taken as a whole, the initiatives and spending priorities outlined make NSW a fairer place for us all.

Time line

Budget delivery
The NSW State Budget will be handed down on 8 June 2010.

Budget briefing
NCOSS will hold a Budget briefing for the community sector on the day after the Budget is delivered. NCOSS will feed back on its preliminary analysis of the Budget by portfolio area. The briefing will be held from 2pm-4pm on Wednesday, 9 June 2010 on Level 4, NSW Teachers Federation, 23 Mary Street, Surry Hills.

For more information on attending and to RSVP, please contact:

Wendy Hall
phone: 9211 2599, ext 118
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Alternatively you can watch the briefing through our live webcast: more info

Budget analysis
Our analysis of the Budget will be available on the NCOSS website and included in the July issue of NCOSS News .