NSW; $100 million over four years for community welfare - Carr

00-00-0000
NSW; $100 million over four years for community welfare - Carr

SYDNEY, Aug 28 AAP - The NSW government had committed $100 million to community disabilityand welfare services to bridge a shortfall caused by the federal government, Premier BobCarr said today.

Thousands of NSW community welfare organisations were in financial crisis followingthe federal government's refusal to meet its share of an increase in the Social and CommunityServices (SACS) Award handed down last November.

Welfare workers, earning an average of $26,000, were awarded an immediate wage increasesof between five-and-a-half and six per cent, and an additional three per cent over threeyears.

The state government announced last year it would cover its share of the cost - $107million over three years - but the federal government has not yet agreed to pay its share.

In June, the NSW Council of Social Services (NCOSS) said of the 7,000 groups it represented,including youth refuges, disability services and women's crisis centres, 3,000 were affectedby the shortfall with some facing closure or cuts to services.

Today, Mr Carr said the state government would provide the sector with an additional$101 million over four years, and follow up the funding issue with the federal governmentat a later stage.

"The NSW government overwhelmingly from its own funds ... will move in with $101.3million over the next four years and pay the commonwealth share of the SACS award - theaward that supports the decent living conditions of the people who run these services,work in these services," Mr Carr told Sydney radio 2UE from Jindabyne today.

"That's a big burden on the state budget ... but we cannot have meals on wheels servicesclosing, leaving bewildered, dependent older people wondering why the meals are no longerturning up."

Mr Carr said the state government would have to sort out any budgetary problems arisingfrom the additional funding at a later stage.

"(Welfare organisations) are on the point of closing services to properly pay theiremployees," he said.

"We came in immediately the Industrial Relations Commission increased the SACS Award... and said `yes, we'll pay our share'."

"The commonwealth refused to do that.

"But nonetheless, I am not prepared to have these fine non-government services runningthese outstanding services for people with disabilities, people with problems, go underand have to close services."

AAP hn/las

KEYWORD: WELFARE CARR