May 10: Following the release of the 2011 Federal Budget, industry experts share their instant views on what implications the budget will have on the Family and Community Services sector:
Social services groups have expressed concern about the impact punitive budget measures could have on families.
Samantha Page, the Executive Director of Relationships Australia has welcomed the programs for grandparent carers and assisting people with disabilities, but said harsh welfare reforms could put a strain on young families.
SAMANTHA PAGE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, FAMILY RELATIONSHIP SERVICES AUSTRALIA
"There are some measures that families can generally take comfort in.
"There are good investments in supporting single parents in workforce participation, and some good announcements in terms of programs for grandparent carers and aiding people with disabilities.
"However, it is a tight budget and we are concerned about some of the penalties to single parents. We welcome supportive measures for teenage mums, but not some of the more punitive measures. These measures can put kids at risk if parents are taken off payments for 8-13 weeks. We would rather not see those measures in place."
DR RUTH PHILLIPS, UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
"Some of the employment programs outlined in the Budget will benefit Indigenous Australians.
"However I was concerned about that some of the income quarantine measures will be extended to five more communities. They wont specified, but I suspect that will be in remote territories, including outside the Northern Territory.
"I welcome the mental health reform measures, as a major reason why Aboriginal people come into contact with the justice system is due to mental health issues. I also welcome the continuing commitment into funding programs to combat petrol sniffing and the extra services for rural and regional Australia, where many disadvantaged Indigenous Australians live.
"However, I am concerned by some of the restrictive welfare reform measures. These measures continue to target the most vulnerable members of society and I would have liked to see the Government do more to hold the mining companies to account to fulfill their promise to provide more job opportunities for Indigenous Australians."
Pre-Budget news:
May 5: Budget must bail out family law
Parties to family law disputes will be unable to access legal representation unless the Federal Budget delivers a boost to legal aid funding, says the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV). [Read full article]
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