COSS Network calls for return of $1b to community services
At a meeting of the COSS directors in Brisbane this week, NCOSS stood with its COSS counterparts to make the case to government for a return of funds denied to crucial community services across the country.
By our count, the Federal Government has identified up to $1 billion in "savings measures" from community services that include:
- $270 million over four years to Department of Social Services;
- foreshadowed cut of $197 million to Department of Health;
- $500 million in cuts to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community services;
- additional cuts to legal services including Legal Aid and community legal services.
We’re calling on the Federal Government to:
- Stop these funding cuts and determine, in partnership with the community service sector, adequate funding;
- Extend current funding for organisations that have not yet been able to finalise new Government funding offers;and
- Adopt the recommendations of the Productivity Commission to improve government contracting with community organisations.