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Thursday, September 03, 2009
Members Statement
This government and the Minister for Community Services are seriously mishandling the delivery of a 2008 promise to introduce a portable long service leave program for the community sector. There is widespread support for measures that attract and retain staff in the non-profit sector.
The sector wants a model which is viable and sustainable from a financial and administrative perspective. Instead, the central fund model placed on the table by the government is administratively complex, adds costs in already financially stressful times and is on an unreasonable timetable for implementation. The government has ruled out any financial support to reflect the net cost impact.
National Disability Services Victoria has stated that it will oppose the government's proposed scheme on the basis that it would result in 'additional costs for the disability sector at a time when its financial position has never been less certain'. The Victorian Council of Social Service has said 'the community sector has overwhelmingly voiced opposition to the central fund model currently proposed by the Victorian government'. It has also said 'the timing of creating a central fund in 2010 is unpalatable'. My local Manningham community health service has said it 'wishes to exclude itself from the scheme', and Doncare has serious concerns, along with many others.
The Brumby government gives every indication that it is determined to impose this portability scheme with no consideration of what it will mean for the future of community organisations. The minister must go back to the negotiating table prepared to listen and revise the approach to see if an acceptable scheme is achievable.
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