Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Social Services, Senator Fifield. A large number of community organisations that deliver Commonwealth funded essential services are under service contracts or grants that are due to expire shortly and they have no idea whether these will be renewed. These organisations cover a range of essential community services including homeless services, family relationship services, family violence programs, women's shelters, palliative care, financial and emergency counselling. Many of these organisations have staff positions that are being affected by this funding uncertainty and are losing staff already. Others do not know whether to renegotiate the lease on their premises.

There are thousands of organisations that do not know whether their doors will be open in three months time. In WA, homeless shelters have been told not to accept new clients from 31 March. My question is: is the government aware of the effect this uncertainty is having on the continuity and future provision of these services? Is the government going to end this uncertainty before these services close and staff are lost?