Paper Signals New Directions to Support Australia’s Families

The Family Relationship Forum today released for discussion a background paper entitled “Future Funding of the Family Relationship Services Programs”.  Catholic Welfare Australia is one of three peak bodies on the Forum.

The background paper identifies new directions in the provision of family relationship services across the country.  It harnesses the collective wisdom of service providers from across the nation and is the product of long term discussions between the Forum , the Commonwealth Department of Community and Family Services and the Attorney-General’s Department. 

“The paper sets out principles that can be used when reviewing issues of access and equity to counseling and related services funded by the Commonwealth.  These issues will have a direct impact on the future location and funding of government funded family counselling and related family support services across the country” said Mr. Toby O’Connor, National Director of Catholic Welfare Australia. 

“Wider rural coverage and greater access to family support services for disadvantaged families are two of the possible benefits deriving from the proposal being examined in the background paper. 

“It has been very heartening to work with Mr. Ross Cameron, Parliamentary Secretary responsible for these Commonwealth programs, on these matters.  He is a man of great commitment to the well-being of Australia’s families.  Parallel work with the Department has also indicated a whole of government commitment to ensure stability of ongoing service delivery in this area – clearly seen as being central to the well-being of the nation as a society built on healthy family relationships. 

He went on to say, “For the small budget allocated to the Family Relationship Service Program, comparative to most other government initiatives, there are significant rewards reaped by the economy since ‘healthy and satisfying relationships’ are regarded as being central to all aspects of our life.  The overall value of the Family Relationship Services Programs to the nation is immeasurable.”

In this time of high social change, the Government has shown real commitment to the nation’s well being by continuing to invest time effort and money in ensuring and maintaining functioning relationships.  “Historically, programs have been funded by government and users of services have been fitted into the programs, the new directions will give service providers discretion to deliver services the client actually needs rather than be constrained by a service type.  This initiative is strongly welcomed by the service providers of Catholic Welfare Australia,” said Mr. O’Connor.