Major Service Providers Call Off Amalgamation

Disability and mental health service providers, Achieve Australia and Break Thru People Solutions, have decided not to amalgamate despite the organisations saying in June it could position the “new” organisation as a national leader in the sector.

According to a joint statement: “Achieve Australia and Break Thru People Solutions advises that the proposed amalgamation announced on June 5, 2014 will not proceed at this time.

“The two organisations will continue as separate entities, working independently and  cooperatively for the benefit of those they serve – creating futures and building extraordinary lives.”

Pro Bono Australia News contacted the organisations as to why the amalgamation fell through, however they declined to comment.

As previously reported, Achieve Australia and Break Thru People Solutions, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in June to explore the benefits of an amalgamation.

According to the organisations, the MOU marks the beginning of a process that ultimately requires respective board and both State and Federal Government support.

In June, Break Thru Founder and Managing Director Ross Lewis said the “new” organisation would be well positioned to become the national leader in the sector, servicing a combined community of more than 20,000 people and their families.

“The general community services sector is becoming increasingly competitive and across the board is now under pressure to reform; in some areas with additional complexity due to the introduction of the NDIS,” the organisations said.

“To respond to that challenge, organisations in the sector will need to be offering a greater breadth and depth of services. Separately the two organisations might be vulnerable. Together, and stronger, they are better able to face these challenges.

“The general community services sector is becoming increasingly competitive and across the board is now under pressure to reform; in some areas with additional complexity due to the introduction of the NDIS.

“To respond to that challenge, organisations in the sector will need to be offering a greater breadth and depth of services. Separately the two organisations might be vulnerable. Together, and stronger, they are better able to face these challenges.

“Break Thru provides services in NSW, Victoria and Queensland in employment, training and community services to people with disability, mental illness, Indigenous Australians, people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, youth at risk, long-term unemployed and more broadly for those who are disadvantaged.

“Of those, its most significant contribution to the new venture is its substantial portfolio and experience delivering employment outcomes.

“Achieve Australia provides strong services in employment, accommodation and day services in Sydney for people with disability or disadvantage. Of those, its strongest contribution to the new venture is in delivering socially inclusive community living services.”

At the time of the MOU, Achieve Australia Chief Executive Officer Anne Bryce made the assurance that the wellbeing of clients, their families, staff and volunteers would be at the forefront of decision-making in the coming months.