The NT Council of Social Service Inc (NTCOSS) welcomes the budget announcement of 8 million dollars for the Community Benefit Fund through a levy on casinos in the Northern Territory. It will be important for NTG to work with key organisations to develop the guidelines for how that money is distributed…

It is also encouraging that 22 million has been allocated to the development of new public housing. Many vulnerable Territorians are currently waiting for more than 3 years on public housing wait lists which is unacceptable.

NTCOSS has long been calling for a greater focus on prevention and early intervention programs across sectors including children and families. It is very disappointing to note that there are no real increases in the budget for children and families. Despite the announcement of extra funding today , the allocation in the budget a does not provide any additional resources – it merely meets the existing demand.

‘The government is expecting a 30% increase in children in the Out of Home Care system yet in real terms there is a reduction in what they plan to spend,’ said Executive Director of NTCOSS, Wendy Morton. “We need to not only prioritise the needs of children in care but also invest more in keeping children out of the statutory system in the future.

Given the prominence of the use of Ice and its impacts on the community, it was surprising that allocations do not appear to have been made to resource the outcomes of the current NTG Inquiry. There has been an increase in funding for Alcohol Mandated Treatment buildings but no increases to preventative programs in alcohol and other drugs. Additional resources need to be allocated to support the increase in demand and the prevention and treatment of alcohol and other drug (including methamphetamine) users.

Given CPI will increase this year as well as the population growth, it means in real terms funding for many departments such as Education and Children and Families is not keeping up with increasing costs.

Media Contact:

Wendy Morton NTCOSS 0418 482 660 or 8948 2665

Chris Franck – Banyan House 8942 7400 or 0400 450 228