JPET funding increasing

Yet again, the Labor Party has sought to deliberately mislead vulnerable young Australians Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony said today.

“Contrary to Labor claims, Jobs Placement, Education and Training (JPET) funding has been increased this financial year. Funding went from $18 million last financial year to $18.5 million this financial year.

“Funding arrangements with current JPET providers were to finish at the end of 2002. The Department of Family and Community Services has been undertaking an open tender process to allocate funding for the next three years to 2005.

“The Department sent letters last week to all applicants advising them of the status of their application. The letter invited successful applicants to negotiate the terms of their future contract.

“As would be expected in an open tender process, not all incumbent services were successful and some were not happy with this result.

“There have been some complaints about the tender process. To ensure that proper process has been followed, the Secretary of the Department will investigate the complaints.

“As a consequence, the tender process will take longer than anticipated. To ensure service provision, I am advised existing services be offered to have their funding extended to the end of March 2003,” Mr Anthony said