On Tuesday May 5, the NT Government will unveil its 2009-10 budget, a document which will have enormous implications for community services organisations and their clients. The Treasurer has foreshadowed a 23% rise in the cost of electricity over the next two years, which will cause great hardship to vulnerable Territorians. It will also increase the operating costs of community organisations, restricting their capacity to provide assistance to clients. NTCOSS will provide an initial statement on the budget on Wednesday 6 May, and a more comprehensive assessment against our pre-budget submission document within two weeks.

Meeting with Treasurer and Chief Minister
NTCOSS President Barry Hansen and myself were among a group of community sector representatives who met with Treasurer Delia Lawrie (and briefly the Chief Minister) to discuss the implications of the proposed increases in utility costs. We were encouraged by the Treasurer’s indication that the price increases would not be passed on to pensioners or carers, but urged her to consider extending concessions to all health care card holders. The Treasurer agreed to consider this proposal, however, we feel that it is important to maintain public pressure.

Central Australia
NTCOSS Central Australian Policy Officer, Jonathan Pilbrow, and Naomi Asling, social work student, have also been involved in responding to the proposed electricity price increases. Further, they have continued to promote the benefits of school transport, and were encouraged by the NT Government’s recent decision to establish four additional bus stops in or near Alice Springs Town Camps. However families and students will need further support to make the most effective use of the school bus system. Too many people are missing out on public transport because bus routes are not accessible. This leaves them with little choice other than to use more expensive means of transport, which further reduces their disposable income.

Media
NTCOSS has enjoyed another month of significant media exposure. On 17 April, the NT News published my letter expressing concern about power cost increases under the headline ‘Power of Poverty hits.’ Two days earlier the Darwin Sun had run a front page headline of ‘Power price surge’, quoting at some length from the NTCOSS media release on the issue. I have done a number of television and radio interviews this month, about the likely consequences of the proposed increases in the cost of power and water. I have also highlighted the fact that this will generate a significant increase in costs for community sector organisations and potentially reduce their capacity to deliver services.

Respite for carers in mental health
Janine Sims has made great progress on the Building Capacity in Community Mental Health Family Support and Carer Respite’ Project. Two local community partnerships – in Alice Springs and Darwin – have been established, and have recently applied for funding under the Federal Government’s’ National Respite Development Fund. The project aims to consult with services, carers, and consumers to inform the design of innovative and sustainable respite services. It also seeks to nurture a well-trained community mental health family support and respite workforce, and to feed back information on sector needs to the government.

Regards,

Wendy Morton
NTCOSS