Expansion of Children’s Contact Services

The Federal Government today announced funding of more than $350,000 per year for new children’s contact services in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Attorney-General Daryl Williams, and Minister for Community Services Larry Anthony, said services would be provided on the Sunshine Coast and Albury/Wodonga. An outreach service would also be provided in Cairns.

Mr Williams said the new services would bring the number of children’s contact services nationally to 35 – all located in high need areas around Australia – with 60% in rural and regional centres.

“The Federal Government is focussed on meeting the needs of Australian families and this includes looking after children and parents who may no longer be living together,” Mr Williams said.

Mr Anthony said the services offered a neutral location for changeovers between resident and non-resident parents and for supervised contact visits.

“Many more Australian families will benefit from the establishment of these new services, which will be provided by community organisations working in partnership with the Government,” Mr Anthony said.

“These services, along with 24 other children’s contact services announced recently, will help parents manage difficult contact arrangements with their children.”

The new services will be provided by:

• Sunshine Coast – Sunshine Coast Family Contact Centre Association Inc
• Albury Wodonga – Upper Murray Family Care Inc
• Cairns – Relationships Australia (Queensland)