A perfect storm creates an opportunity for the Federal Government …

… to re-connect with the community sector

This week, Malcolm Turnbull’s appointment as Prime Minister aligned with the release of the outcomes of a
Senate Inquiry into funding by the Department of Social Services.

In their report, the Committee found the Federal Government had undertaken a destructive tendering
process; reducing funding to the sector by $270 million, resulting in significant loss of services.

In Tasmania this has had serious consequences, including the removal of a significant portion of Peak body
Volunteering Tasmania’s funding, and reattribution of those funds to a Gold Coast provider who has never
previously operated in Tasmania.

David Crosbie, CEO of the Community Council of Australia issued a statement today, highlighting the need
for the Federal Government to value the role of the community sector/not for profit sector.

Volunteering is a key component of this industry, with most organisations unable to deliver services to the
community without volunteers.

Both the Committee Report and Crosbie’s statement highlight the need to seriously reconsider the way we
invest in volunteering and our community services.

“Volunteering Tasmania is strongly supporting calls for a dedicated Minister for the sector, and the
implementation of findings from the recent Senate Inquiry,” said Volunteering Tasmania CEO, Adrienne
Picone.

“We echo David Crosbie’s sentiments. At this time of vigorous national debate and change, the
Prime Minister and the Government have the perfect opportunity to include the community sector in the
conversation about Australia’s economic future,” she said.

“A strong, socially inclusive Australia is required to support economic growth. In Tasmania alone,
we know volunteering contributes $5 billion dollars to the State’s economy – making it our largest industry,”
she said.

“Nationwide, the Federal Government chose to invest just $6.36 million dollars into the volunteering
industry, without which our communities would crumble,” said Ms Picone.

The Community Council for Australia estimates that the NFP sector contributes $107 billion to the national
economy, employing over 1 million Australians.

“The economic benefits and the opportunities for social, cultural and economic growth should
justify a dedicated Minister, and a serious investment in this sector,” she said.
David Crosbie, CEO of the Community Council of Australia