On the back of a year of significant spending cuts and the recently confirmed GST windfall, TasCOSS expects the State Government to reveal its social goals through the priorities it funds in this week’s Budget.
“The Government reached its economic savings goals through last year’s cuts and has promised to invest its confirmed $130 Million GST windfall ‘wisely’,” TasCOSS CEO Tony Reidy said.
“All this points to a 2015/16 State Budget that must reveal how the Government will invest to create a healthier, better educated and more resilient Tasmania. While a Government can cut to meet economic goals, social goals are achieved only through investment,” Mr Reidy said.
“This week’s Budget will demonstrate whether the Government understands that building a healthy, employed population starts with ensuring Tasmanians have secure housing and the family and community support to access education and then the workforce.”
Mr Reidy said that, to date, the Government had spoken of social change in terms of job creation and education retention.
“Until appropriate investment is made by Government in the groundwork of social change—housing, transport and the early years—these other initiatives can’t succeed,” he said.
“The Government’s visions for health, education and employment will be met only by setting people up for success with secure, affordable housing, effective transport to get them to services, higher education and jobs, and the involvement of the entire community in supporting children and families from the start.”
“TasCOSS made these points to Government in its submission to the Budget process in January: Our members are the experts in this area and we look forward to confirmation that we have been listened to.”
TasCOSS advocates for the interests of low-income and disadvantaged Tasmanians and is the peak body for the Tasmanian community services sector.
Tony Reidy, CEO, TasCOSS
