The South Australian Council of Social Services (SACOSS) reacted with a mix of concern and relief to today’s state budget. SACOSS was pleased the budget did not contain sweeping cuts to services which many in the sector feared, but there was a $360m reduction in departmental budgets as well as some specific funding cuts announced. These cuts will inevitably see services diminished in some areas.
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Read our latest media releases, catch up on anything you missed from the our radio program Small Change, and comment on issues and ideas in our blog.
2019 Budget doesn’t quite pass the ‘Fairness Test’ for low income households
18 June 2019
Government cuts to DCP Financial Counsellors are unworkable
12 June 2019
SACOSS, SAFCA and PSA urge rethink of short-sighted decision
The SA Council of Social Services (SACOSS), the SA Financial Counsellors Association (SAFCA) and the Public Service Association (PSA) are calling on the SA Government to rethink their impending SA Government budget cut of $4 million to the Financial Counselling Program in the Department of Child Protection (DCP). The cut to this program, announced in September 2018, is set to be “replaced” by an allocation of $1 million to the NGO sector.
SACOSS holds ElectraNet to account ahead of major State spend
5 June 2019
SA/NSW Interconnector to go ahead following resolution of formal dispute process
“The initial proposal promised a number of solutions; we had concerns about whether this proposal could actually live up to its promises,” Ross Womersley, CEO of SA Council of Social Service (SACOSS) said. “We wanted reassurances from ElectraNet that this project would provide stable, secure electricity for all consumers.”
Ongoing concerns for mandatory drug treatment Bill
15 May 2019
The South Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drugs (SANDAS) representing non-government alcohol and drug treatment services in South Australia, The Youth Affairs Council of SA (YACSA) and the South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) have significant ongoing concerns about the Controlled Substances (Youth Treatment Orders) Amendment Bill 2019.
Budget deals alarming GST blow to SA budget
3 April 2019
Estimated combined cut of $687m over two years
The South Australian Council of Social Service has expressed alarm today at the further cuts to South Australia’s GST entitlements in last night’s Federal Budget, a cut which will almost certainly have dire consequences for the State Government’s own budget.
SACOSS is calling on the State Government to urgently look at state revenue measures, which will address this new revenue hole which threatens their ability to fund vital services.
Treasurer Lucas, don’t cut vital services to ‘fix’ $400m budget blow
5 March 2019
Community Sector Pleads for Revenue Raising Measures in State Budget
The South Australian Council of Social Service (SACOSS) is pleading for an urgent move on revenue raising measures in the State Budget, following last week’s dramatic announcement from the State Government that revisions to GST sharing would deliver a $400m budget blow.
SACOSS calls on State Treasurer, Rob Lucas MLC, to look at revenue options to balance the books and not just to cut vital services.
Four Reasons Why Digital Transformation Matters for the Community Services Sector
28 February 2019
By Dr Greg Ogle, Senior Policy Officer, SACOSS
Not everyone can afford to be online
27 January 2019
Digital engagement can come at a hefty price for anyone who doesn’t have access to cheap and reliable data streaming or digital literacy.
The challenges get greater as more government services and businesses go online.
In the past month, how many of us registered our car, renewed our licence, registered with My Aged Care, got information fromCentrelink or the NDIS, or booked a show or holiday online?
Similarly, education has gone online and children also use it for sport and to maintain their friendships.
New standard contracts big boost for SA not-for-profits
18 January 2019
The not-for-profit (NFP) sector is set to receive fairer funding terms and easier-to-use templates when applying for grants and procurement of services.
By standardising contract templates, NFPs will benefit by saving time and money on what was an inconsistent and often onerous process.
Beware water revenue blowing holes in budget
8 January 2019
SACOSS today expressed concern at reports that a proposed revaluation of SA Water’s asset base could lead to a multi-million hole in the state budget revenue.
The revaluation discussion has been triggered by a series of reports by Lew Owens. The latest of these, “A Cautious Conclusion”, was written by Mr Owens in his capacity as Independent Inquirer into water pricing as appointed by Treasurer Rob Lucas last year.