Community services organisations campaign for more funding

Community services organisations have launched the #YourHelpWA campaign asking the state government for 20 per cent more funding to help vulnerable and at-risk people.

WA Council of Social Service, Community Employers WA and the more than 450 organisations they represent are part of the campaign including large not-for-profits Anglicare WA, UnitingCare West and Ruah Community Services.

Community Employers WA executive director John Bouffler said the community services sector was in crisis with demand for social services in WA outstripping the available resources.

“More than half a million people in Western Australia need support, care and services for a vast range of reasons including domestic violence, mental health, hunger, community health care, homelessness, addiction- that’s enough people to fill eight Perth Stadiums,” Mr Bouffler said.

“We are demanding the state government commit to increase funding to the community service sector by 20 per cent which will adequately fund high-quality services in our community and positively impact people who need it most.

“While state government revenue is increasing, endemic social issues in Western Australia are placing a huge burden on the community services organisations to fill the widening gap that has been created by inadequate public funding."

A statement from the group said representatives from the community services sector have held meetings with senior bureaucrats in the Department of Treasury and Finance and Premier Mark McGowan who “gave no clear acknowledgement of the scale of the issues faced”.

The WA Council of Social Service chief executive Louise Giolitto said the community service sector and the state government had reached an impasse which was underpinned by a lack of understanding the investment required for people who are in need in our state and the community providers working on the frontline.

“We need the state government to put people first and adequately fund the organization that have skills, local knowledge and empathy so we provide high-quality care and services that will help change people’s lives for the better,” Ms Giolotto said.