Michelle Rowland (Greenway, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Communications) Share this | Hansard source

The items I would like to raise, please, relate to clarifying the status and delineation of some specific grants that fall within the minister's purview. As I am sure the minister is well aware, some of these programs have moved between portfolios—possibly between Human Services, Social Services and Immigration.

I have had the pleasure of travelling around many parts of the country visiting a range of migrant resource centres and settlement service providers, and I am sure we all agree that these organisations do outstanding work in our community, particularly in helping new arrivals establish themselves in our community. These organisations give the new arrivals not only a sense of inclusiveness but a very real connection to their new country. The strong message I am receiving from many of these organisations is that there is currently a lack of clarity or certainty in relation to some specific grants in the settlement and multicultural services space in particular. I have conveyed these concerns to the minister's parliamentary secretary. The response I received was pre the budget, which is why I am seeking an update now. I wrote to the parliamentary secretary on 1 April stating that several multicultural organisations and migrant resource centres had contacted me expressing concern about the future of the Settlement Grants Program. I asked if the parliamentary secretary could confirm that the Settlement Grants Program was safe and would not be removed or have substantial amounts of funding cut from it in the upcoming budget. I said this information would be greatly appreciated so these organisations could be assured this program would continue to operate. The parliamentary secretary replied on 7 May. The primary paragraph in that response is said: 'As you would be aware, the Australian government is committed to reviewing all spending across government. As soon as the Department of Social Services is in a position to provide advice on the future funding arrangements it will do so without delay.'

I note there was a document that was released with the budget and that the Department of Social Services and the government are working on new ways of delivering grant funding in a range of various. But I am sure, as the minister will appreciate, this uncertainty is not beneficial to many of these organisations around the country who are trying to plan for the future, including for their existing staff and their future staffing levels. So I am seeking some clarity on these matters that can be communicated to these people. As an example, I note the Settlement Council of Australia commentary on the budget. The council said in a newsletter that its members were eagerly awaiting the announcement of the federal budget this year to gain clarity on the funding of settlement services within the portfolio of the Department of Social Services. DSS yesterday, in line with the budget announcement, released information entitled 'DSS Grants—A New Way of Working', which I have alluded to. The council says there are significant cuts to the Strengthening Communities program which was concerning and refers to DSS program information on the settlement services within the new grant arrangements with the grant structure including longer grant terms, simplified reporting and acquittal processes.

The DSS website states they will be offering extensions to the majority of existing service providers with agreements due to finish by 30 June 2014. The feedback I keep getting is about people not knowing, beyond that date, about what is going to happen from that time forward. The Settlement Council's newsletter says the council looks forward to working with the government and DSS to understand and implement the new grant arrangements within the settlement sector. It also says greater security of funding will enable the settlement sector to continue to build on the proud record of the world's leading service delivery to newly arrived migrants and refugees. I would reiterate those remarks.

My question to the minister is about the Strengthening Communities line item in the budget. Can the minister detail all the specific grant programs and funding items impacted by the $33 million cut to the Strengthening Communities line item as stated on page 98 of the Social Services portfolio budget statement? As I said, many stakeholders are saying it is not clear to them what individual line items are included in that funding envelope so that they can plan for the future, particularly beyond this financial year.

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