Local government has been commended for its increasing partnership and co-operative approach to community development.
Family and Community Development Minister Eric Ripper highlighted the trend today after addressing a public forum organised by the South East Metropolitan Council.
Mr Ripper said the council was a good example of a number of local government bodies joining together in an organised and co-operative approach. The council included representatives from the City of Belmont, City of Canning, City of Gosnells and the City of Armadale, covering some 20 per cent of the metropolitan area and about 220,000 people.
"This partnership philosophy underpins the Government's approach to social issues because government, councils, private agencies, parents and families must work together to properly address social problems," Mr Ripper said.
"This unified approach is vital in dealing with vexing issues such as juvenile crime, homelessness, truancy and drug abuse."
The Minister said the State Budget provided nearly a three per cent boost to overall funds on the previous year, including about $200 million across portfolios, for disability services.
The Government's two major policy packages - the WA Advantage and the Social Advantage - complemented each other by balancing economic growth with social justice.
The WA Advantage was a strategy to create jobs, develop resources and promote the State overseas, to build a sound economic base; while the Social Advantage focused on social justice through effective, practical support for families, parents and children.
"The Government-private sector-families partnership also provides the foundation for the Disability Services policy, soon to be enshrined in legislation," Mr Ripper said.
"This policy seeks to boost the quality of life for the estimated 191,000 Western Australians with disabilities, to increase support for families and carers of people with disabilities and to generate greater community acceptance of the needs and rights of people with disabilities."
