Save our Local Community Services - They are fantastic and should not be lost!

Standing Maxine from Shoalhaven Neighbourhood Centre and Tracy from Nowra Women's Services seated Terry Barratt Greens Candidate for Kiama and Amanda Findley Greens candidate for South Coast.

Members of the Coalition would argue that the services haven't been lost merely made more efficient - an economic rationalists way of saying - see you later!

The Shoalhaven really needs its variety of community services that are often run through neighbourhood centres and provide flexible and timely support for the community.

Check out these fact sheets from the ASU

Fact Sheet #1 Governments are changing how they fund services.

Fact Sheet #2 How the changes will hurt you and your local community.

Fact Sheet #3 What is at risk with the reforms

It makes it easy to sign the pledge when your party actually believes that community services should be funded and given security of tenure.

As discussed with those in attendance at our pledge signing- you cannot undervalue or underestimate the power of community service which gives back way more than the costs. Follows are my comments to the Milton Ulladulla Times...

The Greens are absolutely committed to making sure the needs of unique community services are funded and offered security.

Ulladulla, St Georges Basin, even Nowra are disadvantaged by being part of the Illawarra. The Going Home Staying Home reforms need to be abolished.  

We have a massive need for community services in women’s health, youth, family, mental health and drug and alcohol.  Services offered in these areas by community organisations are very supportive and often help prevent crisis and acute needs yet they often deal with acute needs as well. These services save government money in the long run.  The Coalition is concerned only with numbers; there is no room for the quality of help given to people. Small local services are flexible and at the front line of community need. These small services struggle under the burden of constantly needing to apply for funding and need the security of 5 year contracts.

Here is the report in the South Coast Register

Candidates urged to back services