This Budget includes investment in some key wellbeing areas that will make a difference for Tasmanians, however it does not adequately address the level of need facing Tasmanians and community service organisations.
TasCOSS CEO, Ms Adrienne Picone, said many of the positive measures announced in the Budget were short-term and temporary, at a time when the uncertainty facing Tasmanians demanded long-term investment.
“The Treasurer’s commitment to a ‘caring community’ cannot exist without early prevention support, housing security and sustainable community services, which were not made priorities in today’s Budget,” Ms Picone said.
“We are concerned around the long-term impacts of reduced funding over the Forward Estimates for community services, with output projected to be cut by 13.6% from last year’s budget.
“We’ll be seeking further detail on what this means, but on the face of it, this would represent a significant reduction in the capacity of our industry to respond to growing demand and future crises.
“There’s some encouraging investments in this Budget, including the extension of free bus travel, increased investment for the Preventive Health Strategy, and an injection of funding to support the vital work of the Neighbourhood Houses network.
“But cost of living relief for households is a oversight in this Budget, and will impact the ability for families to afford rising cost of rent, bills and other amenities, which are compounded by conflicts offshore.
“The Tasmanian Coalition of Community Service Peaks had called on the Government to deliver on its stated goal of a strong, sustainable, community services industry in this Budget.
“On today’s evidence, it is clear we are still some way from that goal.”