Media Statements: Statements http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx RSS feed for the Statements list. Department of the Premier and Cabinet Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:34:49 GMT Windows SharePoint Services V3 RSS Generator 60 list Media Statements: Statements /_layouts/images/homepage.gif http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx Launch of Aboriginal infant nutrition kit to kick off Children’s Week http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132654 Content:

To coincide with the start of Children’s Week 2009, Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney launched a resource kit to assist Aboriginal parents with the importance of good nutrition and ongoing health requirements for their young children.

 

The nutrition resource kit: Strong Babies - Solid Start Taste Bubs, was developed by the Meerilinga Young Children’s Foundation Inc (Meerilinga) in consultation with Aboriginal families and health professionals across Western Australia.

 

The kit will be used by Department for Communities’ Best Start coordinators and community health care workers and consists of an educational DVD, facilitators manual, information on childhood healthy eating habits and visual flipcharts.

 

“Consultations held recently with Aboriginal families in Broome, Port Hedland, Albany and Kalgoorlie-Boulder found many parents did not have access to culturally appropriate education on the nutritional needs of infants transitioning from breastfeeding to solid foods,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“Good nutrition is the key to ensuring a child has the best start to life and I am pleased this new kit will help explain healthy food choices to Aboriginal parents while recognising the cultural and nutritional value of incorporating local foods into a child’s diet.

 

“I believe this new resource kit will provide culturally appropriate support to Aboriginal families needing support in the early stages of their child’s development.

 

Children’s Week runs from October 23 to November 1 and officially opens with a Family FunSafe Day, organised by Meerilinga, at Whiteman Park on October 25. The event marks one of 200 activities happening across the State to celebrate the right of children to enjoy their childhood.

To access more information about Department for Communities supported Children’s Week activities visit http://www.meerilinga.org.au or phone 9489 4022.

 

Minister's office - 9222 8950
 
Date: 20/10/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Community Services
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:18:49 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132654 New chair appointed to Carers Advisory Council http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132605 Content:

Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney today announced the appointment of Ellen Walker to chair the Carers Advisory Council.

 

The council was established after the introduction of the Carers Recognition Act 2004.

 

Mrs Walker’s appointment follows the expiry of current chair Lois Gatley’s term and takes effect next month. It promotes her from deputy chair of the council, in which she has played a significant role since its 2005 creation.

 

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Walker to chair of the Carers Advisory Council, where she has already made key contributions to promote the interest of carers in this State,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“I thank Ms Gatley for her commitment and dedication to the council over the past few years and welcome the extensive professional and personal experience Mrs Walker will bring to her new role.

 

“The advisory council plays an important role in recognising the extraordinary efforts that carers in this State perform and plays a lead role in ensuring that organisations servicing people with disabilities and chronic health issues are accountable for their quality of care.

 

“Legislation currently directs the Department of Health, public hospitals and the Disability Services Commission to report to the Carers Advisory Council on how they are complying with the both the Act itself and the Carers Charter and this is one of the true measures of how we are servicing the needs of our most vulnerable.”

 

The Minister said the primary functions of the Carers Advisory Council were to advance the interests of carers in Western Australia and promote and encourage compliance by organisations against the Carers Charter, and to provide advice relating to current and future carer issues.

 

Minister's office  - 9222 8950
Date: 13/10/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Community Services
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:45:54 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132605 New funeral assistance program to help disadvantaged http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132511 Content:

Families unable to bury their loved ones due to financial hardship will be able to access support through a new streamlined funeral assistance program, announced today by the State Government.

 

Child Protection and Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney said today the Government’s new Bereavement Assistance program would replace the previous scheme known as Funeral Assistance.

 

Mrs McSweeney said the Bereavement Assistance program would assist more Western Australian families who may be having difficulty in paying for the funerals of loved ones.

 

“We understand more families are experiencing financial hardship than in the past and as a Government it’s important that we are able to support disadvantaged families during what is a traumatic time,” she said.

 

“The principal change we have made is to ensure more families are aware of the scheme and have the opportunity to access this important assistance.”

 

The Minister said the State Government had introduced a 24-hour a day help line (1800 854 925) that would provide information on how to access the program.

 

She said staff from the Department of Child Protection would be available during business hours to provide information, but applications would need to be made in person directly through the department.

 

Under the program, assistance will be provided to eligible families that includes a contribution towards the costs of the funeral director, transport, funeral notices and the attendance of a religious minister.

 

“In the past assistance has been provided for up to 400 families and we would expect that number to increase marginally in the future and we will provide funding to cover that expected increase,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

The Minister said the program was aimed at helping people who were in genuine need and who could also demonstrate genuine financial hardship.

 

“People who are deemed eligible will still be asked to demonstrate their ability to contribute to some of the cost of the funeral under the program,” she said.

 

“Each application is assessed on a case by case basis to best meet the needs of vulnerable members of the community.”

 

Families wanting more information on the Bereavement Assistance program can either freecall 1800 854 925 or visit their local Department for Child Protection regional office.

 

Minister's office  - 9222 8950
Date: 22/09/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Child Protection;Community Services
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:16:54 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132511 Redress WA counselling services http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132459 Content:

Contracts for ongoing counselling services to Redress WA applicants are currently being finalised, Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney said today.

 

“I have been advised these arrangements will be completed within the next few weeks where several providers will be appointed to facilitate counselling services to Redress WA applicants,” the Minister said.

 

“This is an important step in the healing process for people applying to the scheme, and I am pleased this vital support link will be available to those people who have come forward to tell their stories of neglect and abuse.

 

“Many people will find counselling services helpful while their applications are being processed, especially if they are feeling distressed or upset by revisiting their past.”

 

The Minister said applicants had the option of speaking to their medical practitioner about developing a mental health care plan where referrals to psychologists, psychiatrists or social workers can be made.

 

“So that applicants are not out-of-pocket, Medicare rebates will be available for up to 12 individual and 12 group sessions per calendar year,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

The Minister also encouraged applicants seeking assistance to contact Redress WA on 1800 617 233 to speak to social workers who could put them in touch with already established providers, such as Crisis Care.

 

Minister's office  - 9222 8950
Date: 9/09/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Community Services
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:48:03 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132459 Redress WA guidelines amended for deceased estates http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132448 Content:

The deceased estates of people eligible for Redress WA, but who have passed away before their application for an ex-gratia payment is finalised, will now receive a $5,000 eligibility payment.

 

Community Services Minister Robin McSweeney said the State Government had changed the Redress WA guidelines in light of cases where people with a terminal illness or life threatening condition had died before their application for an interim payment had been assessed.

 

“This has highlighted a shortcoming in the scheme guidelines that has unreasonably disadvantaged those people and their families,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“The new eligibility payments will take effect immediately and will be backdated to those deceased estates where the applicant has unfortunately passed away before their interim payment is fully assessed.

 

“So far Redress WA has identified 21 of these cases where an eligible applicant has passed away suddenly without their interim payment being fully processed.

 

The Minister said that under the Redress WA guidelines people with a terminal or life threatening condition, verified by a medical practitioner, could still apply for an interim payment of up to $10,000.

 

“I encourage applicants who are in terminally ill health or who have a life threatening illness to contact Redress WA to apply for an interim payment which will be dealt with by staff as a matter of priority,” she said.

 

“These changes have been made to ensure that those people who have lived through the trauma of abuse and had the courage to tell their stories still have the opportunity for proper acknowledgement.

 

“This was not possible under the existing guidelines and I have asked Redress WA to contact the families of Priority 1 applicants who have passed away to ensure their deceased estates receive this eligibility payment.”

 

Minister's office  - 9222 8950
Date: 8/09/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Community Services
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:44:14 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132448 Minister addresses Redress WA protestors http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132341 Content:

Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney today addressed protesters who rallied at Parliament House against a recent decision to reduce maximum Redress WA ex-gratia payments of up to $80,000 to a maximum of up to $45,000.

 

Mrs McSweeney responded to public calls regarding the decision to reduce the payments, saying it was the failure of the Opposition to not act on crucial advice that resulted in the underfunding of the scheme.

 

“Today I addressed both Parliament and protestors and outlined the failure of the former Labor government in establishing the Redress WA scheme in 2007,” she said.

 

“From the very start the previous government created an underfunded scheme.”

 

“Based on information provided to me, I understand the Hon Sue Ellery was advised that preliminary forecasts showed more than $200million was needed to adequately fund Redress WA.

 

“In 2007, when this State was experiencing its biggest financial boom in history, it is inconceivable Labor made a decision to underfund its own scheme while they were in a fiscally responsible position to do so.

 

“To the most vulnerable, this is an absolute betrayal by the former Labor government.

 

“The reduction in payment in no way discounts the amount of suffering that applicants to the Redress scheme have gone through.

 

“The decision to reduce the maximum payment to fairly and equitably distribute payments within the funding allocation will stand up to any future scrutiny.”

 

Minister's office  - 9222 8950
Date: 11/08/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Community Services
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 11 Aug 2009 08:08:05 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132341 Minister gives update on Redress WA ex-gratia payments http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132268 Content:

Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney has today outlined Redress WA ex-gratia payments will likely be limited to a maximum of up to $45,000 for victims of abuse in both State and non-government institutions, following recent actuarial analysis commissioned by the Department for Communities.

 

More than 10,000 applications were received by the time the scheme closed on April 30. This followed a 13-month long campaign to raise awareness of the ex-gratia payments.

 

“Of the $114million budgeted for the delivery of the scheme, $90.2million was apportioned for ex-gratia payments alone,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“Although the scheme is well intentioned, what we have now found is the budget allocated by the Opposition cannot support the maximum threshold of $80,000.”

 

“The flow-on impact means the maximum amount payable will decrease. Recent analysis conducted by experienced actuaries in this field has revealed that, based on the severity of cases we are assessing and the allocated budget and total applications received, a maximum payment of up to $45,000 is the more likely scenario.”

 

“It has become clear to me in the past few weeks the most important thing is to let claimants know where they stand and be as upfront about the likely adjustment to the scheme.”

 

“Ahead of any disbursements, I can assure claimants the Government is sincere in offering ex-gratia payments for any abuse suffered in State care.”

 

Mrs McSweeney also stated she would be in frequent contact with claimants with the first round of payments to be offered by the end of this year and final payments completed by mid-2011.

 

Minister's office - 9222 8950
Date: 28/07/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Community Services
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Kimberley;Mid West;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Peel;Pilbara;South Eastern Suburbs;South West;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;Wheatbelt
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 28 Jul 2009 00:33:53 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132268 Non-government funding secures future community needs http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132176 Content:

Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney today reminded non-government organisations they should ignore unsubstantiated claims by Opposition spokesperson Sue Ellery, who has stated the sector faces State funding cuts in order to meet a three per cent efficiency dividend.

 

Mrs McSweeney said a review was currently being conducted into the 205 non-government services funded by the Department for Communities.

 

“When any new Government takes office, it is normal practice to review current and future community needs and also identify any efficiencies that can be made to Government funding,” she said.

 

“The Opposition has incorrectly assumed that to meet a three per cent efficiency dividend, the State Government would make cuts in the non-government sector. This claim is unfounded and only serves to agitate organisations that play an important role in supporting the needs of Western Australians.”

 

Last month, the Minister outlined that the Department for Communities would begin reviewing all funded services in accordance with State Supply Commission requirements to ensure funded services were consistent with current community needs.

 

“I understand the Opposition has written to the non-government sector and asked for opportunities to discuss how any alleged funding cut would affect their programs. I would ask that if any organisation has any concerns following the announcement of the planned review, their concerns can be directed to me in the first instance,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“Any approach taken to seeing where funding efficiencies can be made by reducing duplication of services for example, will be done in consultation with all funded services over the next 12 months and will not be done in isolation.”

 

In most cases service agreements have been extended to ensure sufficient time for the review to be completed.

 

Minister's office -  9222 8950
Date: 6/07/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Community Services
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:34:58 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132176 $30,000 grant toward best start for children http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132158 Content:

Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney today praised the communities of the Wheatbelt for working together to deliver the best start for their children. 

 

In Merredin to present a one-off $30,000 grant to the Wheatbelt Area Consultative Committee, the Minister said the funding would enable the Eastern Wheatbelt Early Years Network to develop a plan for future Early Years coordination in the region. 

 

“The early years of children’s lives are very important and influence their future development in life, particularly their health, education and general well being,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

“These outcomes don’t happen without the support of committed individuals and key agencies.

 

The Minister said the network played a significant advocacy and leadership role for emerging issues and concerns such as improving school readiness for indigenous children in Merredin and Kellerberrin.

 

“The Eastern Wheatbelt Early Years Network group is working with many government agencies to deliver forums, training and research in response to the needs of local families and young children,” she said.

 

“Together, we can ensure that everyone understands just how important the early years of a child’s life are.”

 

Minister's office  - 9222 8950
Date: 2/07/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Community Services
Region: Wheatbelt
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:43:54 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132158 Practical guide for Mums when Dad works away http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132145 Content:

Families will be better supported with the launch today of ‘Support for Mum when Dad works away’, a comprehensive and practical guide when one parent is frequently absent due to work commitments.

 

Community Services Minister Robyn McSweeney, who launched the booklet, said families faced many challenges when one parent, often the father, was absent from home working in mining, transport, defence or sporting industries.

 

“From personal experience I understand what it takes for a family to make this kind of lifestyle work as my husband worked in a fly-in, fly-out role for more than 20 years. It is important not to underestimate the pressures this lifestyle places on both families and relationships,” Mrs McSweeney said.

 

‘Support for Mum when Dad works away’ contains practical information for mothers, such as tips for self-care, and lists contact details for support resources and facilities. The booklet also provides advice on how men and women can manage their relationship and their role together as parents.

 

A first for the State Government, the booklet was developed by the Department for Communities in consultation with parents; researchers Dr Anne Sibbel - a community psychologist and researcher on fly-in, fly-out workers - and Dr Elizabeth Kaczmarek, psychology lecturer at Edith Cowan University.

 

“The booklet reinforces the State Government’s commitment to provide support to parents and to build strong, vibrant communities throughout Western Australia,” the Minister said.

 

“This is a wonderful resource and will benefit many families.”

 

Copies of the booklet can be downloaded from http://www.communities.wa.gov.au

or by telephoning Parenting WA on (08) 6279 1200 or free call from country areas on 1800 686 155.

 

Minister's office   - 9222 8950
Date: 1/07/2009
Minister: McSweeney
Portfolio: Community Services
Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;Kimberley;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Mid West;Peel;Pilbara;South West;Wheatbelt
]]> Antartis, Jill Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:54:52 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132145