Parliamentary Secretary meets NT community organisations

The Parliamentary Secretary for Community Services, Julie Collins today met welfare and community services organisations in Darwin on her trip to Australia’s northern capital.

Ms Collins visited The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Hostel and Life Centre in the Darwin CBD which provides medium to long-term crisis accommodation and offers life skills activities such as painting, arts and crafts as well as access to a range of counselling services.

“I was pleased to visit the Red Shield Hostel and Life Centre to talk with clients and hear how these services are helping to support local residents.” Ms Collins said.

Ms Collins also met with the Red Cross, Anglicare, CatholicCare, Somerville Community Services and Relationships Australia.

“Meeting with staff and volunteers provided an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand insights into the services community organisations deliver across the Northern Territory,” Ms Collins said.

“In recognition of this the Gillard Government is providing more than $667 million in 2010-11, through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, to community organisations across Australia to deliver vital services.

“This includes $40 million to organisations here in the NT for services such as financial management, homelessness, mental health, disability, broadband for seniors, family and community well being and support to volunteers.

“Today’s discussions with the staff and volunteers demonstrates the diversity of the Northern Territory’s community services sector.”

Senator Crossin said these meetings were vital to ensuring policy is inclusive of the realities of life in the Northern Territory, especially for clients in regional and remote locations.

“The Gillard Government values the contribution these organisations make to supporting the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our communities and to the ongoing development of effective community sector public policy,” Senator Crossin said.