Sector calls for more State support

TWO Bendigo not-for-profits have backed the Victorian Council of Social Service campaign, calling on the State Government to urgently review its funding of the social service sector.

Centre for Non-Violence and Bendigo Community Health Services said a two per cent increase in indexed State funding does not meet rising service delivery costs because of increases to minimum wage, superannuation contribution requirements and new portable long service leave obligations.

“We have assessed the impact of these changes, and what Government is offering is just under half of what we actually need,” said CNV CEO Margaret Augerinos.

“If we only receive half, critical services and programs will be lost. It will impact on the capacity for us to deliver services across the region.”

The Victorian Council of Social Service campaign is known as Thanks Isn’t Enough and BCHS CEO Gerard José echoed the sentiment.

“The pressures on not-for-profit organisations like BCHS are enormous at the moment,” he said.

“We cannot accept any funding system that puts services and jobs in danger when it comes to health care and ensuring the health and wellbeing of our community.”

In addition, Mr José said BCHS staff were already under pressure to streamline spending and services in their recently completed budget process.

“We cannot continue to put that type of pressure on our teams without at some point running the risk of damaging the standard of care the community expects and deserves,” he said.

Ms Augerinos said if increased funding calls were not answered by the State, CNV would have to “make decisions about where we can provide services, and what we can provide.”