Community services peaks from across the country have joined forces in Launceston to call on the Parliament to deliver on prioritising all Tasmanians and the promised partnership agreement with the community services industry, announced at the recent state election.
TasCOSS CEO, Ms Adrienne Picone, said the two day TasCOSS Conference 2025: Shaping our future together program has brought together more than 200 local and national leaders to highlight of the importance of a well-supported community industry to achieving improved health and wellbeing outcomes.
“With Parliament due back next week and ‘collaboration’ the word of the hour, now is the time to get to work around establishing a clear, shared vision for for the future of our industry,” Ms Picone said.
“A formal partnership agreement, underpinned by the security provided by longer-term contracts and initiatives to improve workforce attraction and retention, duly recognises the essential work of the industry and our ongoing contribution to improving the economy and the social fabric of Tasmania.
“By working in partnership, we can — and will — unlock the potential of every Tasmanian.”
Ms Picone said the conference has been valuable in exploring how we can better tackle some of the critical issues and opportunities facing our industry, such as sustainability and workforce.
“Demand for our services continues to increase across the state, notably in the areas of crisis accommodation, specialist family violence counselling and supports, alcohol and other drugs supports, and food relief,” she said.
“It is is everyone’s best interest that our industry is a position of strength, so no Tasmanian misses out in their time of need.”
Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs Council (ATDC) Tasmania CEO, Dr Jackie Hallam, said organisations were under strain.
“Just this year, we have seen staff laid off in a critical service in Burnie, with several more jobs in Devonport, Launceston and Hobart currently in jeopardy,” Dr Hallam said.
“Tasmanian rates of alcohol and other drug use in Tasmania are above the national average, and the cost to the health system and the wider community is significant. In the context of a stretched state budget, community-managed programs are cost effective and these programs reach into our communities, often in areas where there is a lack of other health services, such as bulk-billing GPs.
“These services are doing the heavy lifting in our communities and need urgent support.”
ACOSS CEO, Dr Cassandra Goldie AO, said the best way for governments across Australia to tackle social and economic hardship is collaborating with the community services industry, and better utilising its leadership, expertise and highly specialised skills.
“The Not-for-Profit Blueprint, handed to the Commonwealth last year, strongly prioritises shared decision-making and policy development between governments and industry. Tasmania’s partnership can offer a model for the rest of country to emulate over time,” Dr Goldie said.
“Tasmania can demonstrate the positive outcomes achieved when government improves the conditions under which services operate, and community organisations make deep inroads into pressing local challenges around the state.”
The TasCOSS Conference 2025: Shaping our future together program features a diverse range of speakers and workshops on topics ranging from social impact and best practice in lived experience storytelling, to industry sustainability solutions for the future and transforming child and youth safety.