NCOSS welcomes ALP funding commitment, calls on Coalition to match

A $1.3 million recurrent funding commitment from Labor today would support NCOSS’ work to put low-income households at the centre of NSW Government decision-making and ensure a sustainable social service sector.

Peak social services body, NCOSS, said this is a much-needed boost for the organisation which will benefit the sector generally, and called on the Coalition and minor parties to match it.

“NCOSS revenue, of which government funding makes the biggest contribution, is significantly lower on a per capita basis compared to our counterparts in other states and territories, despite us serving the most populus state,” said CEO Joanna Quilty.

“This boost to our recurrent funding will mean NCOSS can better support and champion our sector, commission high quality independent research, and continue to advocate for and contribute to policy solutions that tackle poverty, inequality and disadvantage in NSW.

“We thank Labor very much for the commitment and now call on the NSW Coalition, Greens, Shooters and One Nation to either match or better it – we stand ready and waiting for their response.”

Ms Quilty acknowledged that NCOSS received a one-off funding injection from the NSW Government during the COVID pandemic, which allowed important and targeted work to support our communities.

“This was very welcome and supported the expanded role we needed to play during recent upheavals in NSW, but it finished at the end of last year. This recurrent commitment will support our ongoing role and sustainability,” she said.

The additional funding boost to NCOSS during the COVID pandemic allowed the peak body to support practical initiatives at a critical time, including:

• Bringing together multicultural services in the 12 LGAs of concern during the Delta wave of COVID, to identify emerging community concerns, gaps in the government's response and rapid solutions.
• Convening a working group of frontline services (including homeless, domestic violence, family support, housing, mental health, child and family and Aboriginal organisations) in the Northern Rivers following the floods to act as a conduit between them and different government agencies, enabling better targeting of support, streamlined processes and more coordinated responses for the most vulnerable groups.
• Commissioning the Aftershock research series to model the longer-term social impacts and economic costs of COVID and natural disasters for the people of NSW in relation to domestic violence, mental health, housing security and child development and wellbeing.

Media contact: Billy Briggs | 0474 697 235

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