Ms ANDERSON - 2005-06-30
The Northern Territory has one of the highest proportions of young families in Australia. How is this government getting on with the job of delivering better services and support for these families?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is great to have a question from the new member for Macdonnell, and I thank her for the question. Territory families are and have always been a major focus of this government. Our initiative means better support for, and more money in the pockets of, Territory families. Our government is supporting community services that provide much needed support to struggling Territory families. We have substantially increased the proportion of funding to 50% of the total Community Services budget.
From 1 July 2005, grants provided to non-government organisations will be indexed for the first time to take into account the real cost of providing services to our community. This will put an additional $0.5m a year into the non-government sector.
We have provided Territory families with more access to support than ever before, whether face-to-face, over the phone, or on the Internet, with the Office of Children and Families and the highly successful Parentline and Northern Territory Families web site.
Our child-care subsidies mean more child-care places for more Territory families, with an increase of 40% since 2001, and almost $3m in subsidies in the last year. A further commitment of $0.5m next financial year will allow these vital community child-care centres to upgrade their playground and other equipment.
In this term, the Labor government will be reducing the cost of education with a $50 voucher to help offset the cost of uniforms and school supplies for each Territory child enrolled in school.
We are supporting those who support others with a new carer’s card, providing concessions on essential services. This will help carers pay for essential services such as electricity, water, motor vehicle registration, and public transport. It is financial relief to carers worth up to $750 each year.
We are supporting families with better services. We will be setting up a family hub in Karama, providing a one-stop shop to support and assist families. The Territory is a great place for families and a great place for our kids. Our priority is to make sure it stays like that.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, it is great to have a question from the new member for Macdonnell, and I thank her for the question. Territory families are and have always been a major focus of this government. Our initiative means better support for, and more money in the pockets of, Territory families. Our government is supporting community services that provide much needed support to struggling Territory families. We have substantially increased the proportion of funding to 50% of the total Community Services budget.
From 1 July 2005, grants provided to non-government organisations will be indexed for the first time to take into account the real cost of providing services to our community. This will put an additional $0.5m a year into the non-government sector.
We have provided Territory families with more access to support than ever before, whether face-to-face, over the phone, or on the Internet, with the Office of Children and Families and the highly successful Parentline and Northern Territory Families web site.
Our child-care subsidies mean more child-care places for more Territory families, with an increase of 40% since 2001, and almost $3m in subsidies in the last year. A further commitment of $0.5m next financial year will allow these vital community child-care centres to upgrade their playground and other equipment.
In this term, the Labor government will be reducing the cost of education with a $50 voucher to help offset the cost of uniforms and school supplies for each Territory child enrolled in school.
We are supporting those who support others with a new carer’s card, providing concessions on essential services. This will help carers pay for essential services such as electricity, water, motor vehicle registration, and public transport. It is financial relief to carers worth up to $750 each year.
We are supporting families with better services. We will be setting up a family hub in Karama, providing a one-stop shop to support and assist families. The Territory is a great place for families and a great place for our kids. Our priority is to make sure it stays like that.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016