Peak Body Responds to NSW Budget
12 June 2012 at 5:04 pm
The NSW peak body for social services has given qualified support to the 2012 state budget released by Barry O’Farrell’s Coalition Government.
The Council of Social Service of New South Wales (NCOSS) welcomed the government’s ongoing funding for programs that assist vulnerable people, however the “commitment provides no growth beyond what has been previously promised,” said NCOSS Director Alison Peters.
“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 the budget focuses on providing support for home purchasers rather than people in the private rental market who are struggling with unaffordable housing costs, according to Peters.
In addition NCOSS was 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,” Peters said.
Chief executive of the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies NSW Andrew McCallum said he was generally pleased with the budget and the continued transition of out-of-home care services to the non-government sector. However he said more investment in early intervention and prevention was needed.
NSW Premier Mike Baird said in the context of “challenging economic times,” the 2012-13 budget “delivers what this State needs – responsible spending that enables us to deliver more housing and more infrastructure”.
