Services Australia is playing a crucial role in supporting people in Central Australia to improve their wellbeing, by boosting government services through local community organisations.
Minister for Government Services the Hon Bill Shorten MP today announced that the Services Australia Community Partnership Pilot (CPP) has expanded to include two additional partnerships in Alice Springs, to total four sites in the Northern Territory.
“One of my key priorities as Minister for Government Services has been tackling vulnerability, and the pilot is an innovative way to connect people with the services and support they need, when and where they need it,” Minister Shorten said.
“The best solutions to personal and community issues come from the local community themselves, and the extension of the pilot to two sites in the Alice Springs community is a key component of this support.
“Our partnerships with Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council (Aboriginal Corporation), Alice Springs Youth Accommodation and Support Services, in addition to our existing partnership with Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Aboriginal Corporation), focus on providing wraparound support to people who experience significant vulnerability and barriers to accessing Agency payments and services.
“Listening to and working with these organisations, the Services Australia Community Partnership Specialist Officers are providing a tailored and individualised service to people who need it most, where they feel comfortable and where they already go to for help.
“Whether it be homelessness, escaping domestic and family violence, or other traumatic situations, we’re adapting government services to what the local community needs, while also linking them with other local community services where required.
“I look forward to seeing the outcomes of this initiative, as we work together to provide help through this targeted approach.”
The Community Partnership Pilot is located across all states and territories.
- Northern Territory (4 locations)
- Queensland (3 locations)
- NSW (4 locations)
- ACT (1 location)
- Victoria (3 locations)
- Tasmania (1 location)
- South Australia (1 location)
- Western Australia (1 location).
QUOTES FROM THE ORGANISATIONS
NPY Women’s Council
Liza Balmer, Chief Executive Officer
- NPY Women’s Council is extremely pleased to have this opportunity to partner with Services Australia in this innovative pilot project. As the largest provider of human services in the very remote NPY region of central Australia, NPYWC responds to some of our most vulnerable community members at times of great crisis and often with little or no access to other support services.
- Already this pilot has enhanced our capacity for coordinated, individualised support to people when they most need it. We can’t thank you enough.
Central Australian Aboriginal Congress
- Since having the Community Partnership Specialist Officer Marsha, based within Congress, it has provided us with an invaluable service to assist many of our vulnerable clients who are experiencing barriers to accessing Centrelink.
Alice Springs Youth Accommodation and Support Services (ASYASS)
Ojisi Charlie, Chief Executive Officer
- The CPSO has demonstrated excellence in service delivery with ASYASS.
Emma Bell - Residential Support Worker/Accreditation Officer
- Just wanted to say thank you to Billie for her support with Centrelink! Billie has supported me to make appointments, sort Centrelink issues with the clients quickly and has shared a lot of helpful information about Centrelink process. It is working really well and I think it’s great for the clients to have easy access.
Leanne Hoey, Program Manager
- So great to get great spot on advice for the young clients.
- Billie (CPSO) is great – she is helping staff and clients alike.