Contents
- Part 1 Executive Summary
- Part 2 Performance reporting
- Part 3 Corporate governance and accountability
- Part 4 Appendices
- Part 5 Financial Management
Annual Report 2007–2008
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Annual Report 2007–2008
Annual Report 2007–2008 » Chapter 8: Outcome 4
Services and assistance that: help homeless people and low‑income households to gain affordable and appropriate housing; promote community partnerships; and encourage participation in the local community by individuals, families, business and government.
Outcome 4 has four contributing outputs:
| Strong and resilient communities | (a) 2007–08 Final Estimates $’000 |
(b) 2007–08 Actual Expenses $’000 |
(b) – (a) Variation $’000 |
2008–09 Budget $’000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Administered expenses | ||||
| Appropriations Act 1 | 123,622 | 115,819 | –7,803 | 178,632 |
| Appropriations Act 2 | 1,158,379 | 1,158,310 | –69 | 1,201,399 |
| Special Appropriations | 47,299 | 39,068 | –8,231 | 22,105 |
| Subtotal | 1,329,300 | 1,313,197 | –16,103 | 1,402,136 |
| Department outputs | ||||
| Appropriated revenues | 122,389 | 119,796 | –2,593 | 118,571 |
| Other non‑tax revenues | 753 | 1,131 | 378 | 753 |
| Subtotal | 123,142 | 120,927 | –2,215 | 119,324 |
| Total for Outcome 4 | 1,452,442 | 1,434,124 | –18,318 | 1,521,460 |
| Staffing years FaHCSIA (including the Social Security Appeals Tribunal) |
291 | 292 | – | 330 |
Educating families to better manage their money plays a key role in establishing a better financial foundation for the future of their children and their communities. Family Income Management (FIM) enables Indigenous people to develop fundamental capabilities that will position them to better manage their circumstance, and prepare them to participate economically in their community.
A family from Aurukun (Northern Territory), who signed with the FIM program in May 2007, achieved their goal of purchasing a boat in January 2008. Through working together, the family achieved this goal in record time. The two brothers and three sisters agreed on the amount they would each contribute on a weekly basis and established their own rules about the management of the account. It was agreed that it would be overseen by the brothers. This was a great achievement for the family and provides a positive example for other families in the community.
The family regularly checked their balance and were thrilled with how quickly their savings increased. By January 2008, the family had managed to save $5,000. The boat they wanted to purchase was $6,500 but, given the deposit they had, the shop allowed them to have it and arranged for the family to make part‑payments for the remainder of the balance.
After purchasing the boat the family said, ‘The kids are really happy to have this boat. You should have seen them when it arrived. They went crazy for the boat and want to go out all the time in it. The kids want to go out so they can go swimming off the sand banks, while the men want to go chasing Barramundi and crabs! We would really like to thank FIM and will definitely be starting up a new savings plan for new flooring in the boat and some extra safety gear.’
FaHCSIA has undertaken a number of measures critical to helping Australians access affordable housing and improving the provision of support services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The Department has made significant progress in implementing the Government’s commitments in relation to housing affordability, including:
To implement these initiatives the Department has:
The National Rental Affordability Scheme, Housing Affordability Fund and the A Place to Call Home Initiative commenced on 1 July 2008.
FaHCSIA has an active role in facilitating the Commonwealth Land Audit, which demonstrates the Government’s commitment to releasing surplus Commonwealth land for new housing, job creation and community development.
As part of this commitment, a revamped land release policy will require all government agencies to show why surplus land should not be released for the benefit of local communities. The Government is currently considering what land is available and the best way to achieve more housing, community amenities and jobs.
Additionally, the Department has developed and implemented other measures to address housing and homelessness issues, through:
FaHCSIA supports the development of strong and resilient communities by supporting financial management and volunteers, working with communities and individuals in crisis—including as a result of natural or man-made disasters—and promoting community partnerships.
In 2007–08, FaHCSIA’s key achievements for supporting communities were:
Over the next five years, the Australian Government has committed $150 million to assist more homeless families and individuals to move into housing. Through the A Place to Call Home measure, approximately 600 new homes will be built and added to the public housing pool.
This measure means that many families and individuals can move straight into housing, instead of seeking accommodation at a refuge or other emergency accommodation.
Tenancy and other forms of support will be provided for the first 12 months and tenants will not have to leave at the end of the support period. It is hoped that this funding, along with other government and non‑government strategies, will help to ensure homeless individuals and families get the support they need to permanently break the cycle of homelessness.
The affordability and availability of housing is a key social and economic challenge facing Australian society. FaHCSIA has responsibility for implementing a range of measures to address housing affordability, rental affordability and homelessness.
Through the Council of Australian Governments, FaHCSIA is working with state and territory governments to define the scope of the new National Affordable Housing Agreement.
Historically, low rental vacancy rates, coupled with significant rent increases, have affected affordability in the private rental sector across much of Australia. FaHCSIA is implementing the Government’s National Rental Affordability Scheme, which aims to encourage institutional investment in lower-cost rental accommodation.
FaHCSIA is working with the Department of Finance and Deregulation to revamp the Government policy for disposal of surplus land, requiring all government agencies to show why surplus land should not be released for the benefit of local communities.
Machinery of government changes required restructuring within the Department to implement the Government’s housing and homelessness agendas.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Committee, which FaHCSIA chairs, is achieving active engagement with Australian Government agencies and state and local governments on community recovery. Strong working relationships are maintained with state and local governments through the FaHCSIA Regional Network and membership of state‑level disaster recovery sub‑committees.
FaHCSIA ensures its payments, recovery policy and initiatives remain responsive to community needs. The Department achieves this by reviewing its payments and policy on an ongoing basis, seeking feedback from the community and government agencies and applying the results to new recovery projects.
The rollout of income management in the Northern Territory was supported by the provision of short‑term money management, community education workshops, basic budgeting support and referral to financial counselling and emergency relief services.
Established in 2007, the Not-For-Profit Advisory Group (NFPAG) plays an important role in assisting the Australian Government to build stronger, sustainable links with the community sector to manage disaster recovery. Its 15 members represent a range of organisations, including Anglicare, Lifeline Australia, Volunteering Australia and the Salvation Army.
The aim of the group is to harness expertise, facilitate exchange of information and improve understanding of the roles of the Government and not-for-profit sectors in building community capacity and supporting community recovery from critical events and disasters.
In 2007–08, the NFPAG contributed to FaHCSIA’s work in pandemic influenza preparedness policy and with the development of a statement of relevance of the National Principles for Disaster Recovery for the not-for-profit sector.
Effective disaster recovery requires all possible expertise to be harnessed. Through its involvement with the NFPAG, Anglicare indicates it is better able to contribute to strategic thinking and planning for disaster recovery services throughout the country.
Doug Philpott, Manager, Emergency Services, Anglicare, says that this was the case when reviewing the Australian Government Disaster Recovery services following the Hunter and Central Coast storms and floods in June 2007.
‘My role is primarily as a channel of information representing Anglicare. We have some voice with government thinking and planning for disaster recovery. It is always good to build and maintain relationships with community partners…it is equally good to maintain awareness of the broader issues of disaster recovery and the players involved.’
The Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA) includes grants to states and territories for the provision of public, community and Indigenous housing, administration for the Crisis Accommodation Program, home purchase assistance and private rent assistance.
FaHCSIA is responsible for the policy aspects of the Commonwealth Rent Assistance program. During 2007–08, the Department provided a wide range of policy advice to Centrelink.
The Department is working with state and territory officials to define the scope of the new National Affordable Housing Agreement (NAHA), including more integrated models of service delivery that impact on housing affordability, into a single housing agreement from 1 January 2009.
The Green Paper on Homelessness, Which Way Home?A New Approach to Homelessness, has been released to promote discussion about how to address the problem of homelessness. This will be followed by a White Paper that will include a comprehensive national action plan to reduce the number of homeless Australians.
The availability of transitional, supported accommodation and related support services through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP), under a joint Commonwealth, state and territory agreement, aims to help people who are homeless to achieve self‑reliance and independence.
In 2007–08, the program continued to focus on three strategic priorities. These are to:
Contracts for service providers implementing the Household Organisational Management Expenses (HOME) Advice Program have been extended until 30 June 2009.
22 May 2008—Following the launch of the Government’s Homelessness Green Paper—Which Way Home? A New Approach to Homelessness, Minister for Housing and Minister for the Status of Women, the Hon. Tanya Plibersek, MP, visited The Common Ground, Adelaide, which provides affordable accommodation for people with low incomes, in particular providing supported accommodation for people who are homeless.
In 2007–08, the Emergency Relief Program provided funding for community and charitable organisations across Australia to deliver to people in financial crisis. This was achieved through the provision of financial and other emergency assistance, which included funding for the training and support of emergency relief workers, such as privacy training, development of Indigenous-specific training materials and Mental Health First Aid training.
The Emergency Relief Program also provided additional funding to emergency relief providers in exceptional circumstances within drought-declared areas to support their emergency relief activities.
In March 2008, the Department conducted a survey of Emergency Relief service providers to gain a better understanding of their data collection methods and the ways in which the Department could support the sector to enhance these methods.
Under the Commonwealth Financial Counselling program, community and local government organisations across Australia were funded to provide free financial counselling services for people experiencing personal financial difficulties. This included funding to organisations in Queensland and New South Wales for individuals and families in the sugar industry who were experiencing financial crises. Funding was also provided to resource support services for financial counsellors from Commonwealth Financial Counselling organisations.
Financial management services provide disadvantaged individuals, families and communities who are financially vulnerable, or at risk of becoming financially vulnerable, with the tools and resources to manage financial crisis and overcome hardship. The services aim for better financial management skills and knowledge that will reduce debt, increase net assets and increase financial self‑reliance.
In 2007–08, FaHCSIA funded service providers to deliver training that will increase financial management skills. The training will enable those with little or no budgeting skills to better manage their expenses and eventually move towards more sophisticated means of managing money, such as loans and investments.
Gambling Research Australia (GRA) is an initiative of the Ministerial Council on Gambling (MCG). It is funded and managed by the Australian and state and territory governments to undertake research on gambling related issues. In 2007–08, GRA undertook research on youth, children at risk, pre‑commitment to spend strategies, predictors of relapse in problem gambling, the influence of venue characteristics on a player’s decision to attend a gambling venue, gambling and the impact of new and emerging technologies and associated products, and understanding gambling in indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
FaHCSIA provides tailored assistance to Australian individuals, families and communities adversely affected by disasters or critical incidents. The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment was introduced in December 2006 and has been activated nine times, injecting around $50 million into communities affected by floods, bushfires, and cyclones.
In 2007–08, FaHCSIA also provided financial assistance to people involved in commercial horse‑dependent industries whose income had been reduced due to the equine influenza outbreak. Some 6,202 claims for the Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment were granted, totalling $6.1 million.
In 2007–08, ex‑gratia assistance continued to be provided to support rehabilitation for those affected by the Bali Bombings.
The Government, working within the parameters of the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Arrangements, may support the states and territories through tailored assistance appropriate to the circumstances.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Committee, chaired by FaHCSIA, provides advice to enable the Government to effectively coordinate recovery assistance for both natural and man-made disasters. FaHCSIA also links into the community sector through its not-for-profit Advisory Group, which comprises 15 community organisations.
The National Emergency Call Centre capability was established in July 2007. It brings together Australian Government call centre staff from five agencies and is able to provide a single point of contact for enquiries from the public in the event of a disaster of national consequence.
FaHCSIA is taking a proactive approach to building community capacity and strengthening community resilience. This is being achieved through the development of practical assistance to better manage and recover from the social and economic impacts of a major disaster or critical incident. FaHCSIA will develop an all‑hazards community resilience strategy in 2008–09.
Local Answers helps to strengthen disadvantaged communities by funding local, small‑scale projects that help communities develop parenting and relationship skills and enable families and communities to build self‑reliance. The program also helps individuals to increase involvement in their community through volunteering, mentoring or training to build leadership skills. Projects funded through Local Answers are primarily selected based on the level of disadvantage in the community and how the project would assist these communities to develop self‑reliance.
The Department received a high volume of applications for grants through Local Answers and the Volunteer Grants Program (VGP). With the increase in demand, the challenge for the Department was to determine and make the best use of departmental resources to deliver these programs efficiently. In 2007–08, both programs were delivered through the FaHCSIA Online Funding Management System, which streamlined the process considerably.
The VGP provided funding to not-for-profit community organisations for the purchase of small equipment items to support volunteers whose work contributes to developing stronger families and strengthening community participation.
Since 2004, Local Answers has funded over 600 community‑based projects through an open selection process. These projects have fostered and encouraged social participation and inclusion through the use of local ideas and knowledge to develop effective, practical solutions specific to individual communities and their needs.
The Volunteer Management Program encourages community participation through Volunteer Resource Centres that connect individuals with volunteering opportunities, provide them with training and assist community organisations with the management of volunteers.
Funding for the VGP helps organisations purchase small equipment and sporting items to make the work of their volunteers safer, easier and more enjoyable. This encourages participation in sporting activities in the community and supports and encourages volunteering.
The Volunteer Grants Program (VGP), administered by FaHCSIA, provides funding to not-for-profit community groups to purchase equipment in support of their volunteers. It also provides funding for community sporting organisations, particularly groups that support and encourage the involvement of children. The Government recognises the hard work of volunteers and in 2007–08 increased the VGP appropriation to fund more organisations.
VGP funding for equipment allows communities to support their clubs and organisations in other ways, rather than just helping to pay for the equipment.
The Portland Colts Cricket Club was founded over 130 years ago. The club teaches their members cricket skills, sportsmanship, teamwork, honesty and fair play. The club gives back to the community by supporting events such as the Relay for Life cancer walkathon.
Portland Colts Cricket Club received funding to purchase a computer and printer. This assists their volunteers by allowing all members, in particular the younger members, to be involved in the administration of the club. The administration has become more computer-oriented, with registration, results and the sports ladder all available online. The computer also allows the use of cricket scoring software.
Hamilton Base Hospital Opportunity Shop has raised funds for the hospital for 71 years and is staffed by volunteers. Each week, the volunteers prepare donated items and provide companionship and friendship for each other.
Hamilton Base Hospital Opportunity Shop received funding for an ironing press, front load washer and clothes dryer to assist volunteers in washing, drying and ironing donated clothes. The equipment will enable the volunteers to prepare the clothes for sale in the Opportunity Shop.
This measure applies to Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Refer to the Outcome 1 performance report for details on this measure.
This measure applies to Outcomes 2, 3, and 4. Refer to the Outcome 2 performance report for details on this measure.
Managing the adverse social and community impacts of a possible influenza pandemic is a key preparedness priority under the National Action Plan. FaHCSIA is contributing to this plan by better preparing the community for the social and community impacts of a potential human influenza pandemic.
FaHCSIA has built the capacity of non‑government organisations through disseminating pandemic business continuity kits and conducting a series of workshops in the first half of 2008. Forty-one workshops were run across Australia and NGOs commented on the usefulness of the workshops in assisting their business continuity preparations.
An additional $12.8 million (administered) was provided under the Volunteer Small Equipment Grants Program, now known as the Volunteer Grants Program (VGP). VGP provides funding to not-for-profit community groups to purchase equipment in support of their volunteers, recognising their hard work in the community.
Mental Health First Aid provides training for members of the public about how to support someone who is in a mental health crisis situation or who has a mental illness. The program increases knowledge, reduces stigma and, most importantly, increases supportive actions.
Mental Health First Aid training can assist in early intervention and in the ongoing community support of people with mental illnesses. It is useful for people employed in areas that involve contact with mental health issues and for carers of people with mental illnesses.The election commitment to abolish the Community Business Partnership was implemented on 30 June 2008.
A one‑off grant of $350,000 was given to Brendan’s Fund, a trust fund established to provide financial support to the widow and three young children of the late Brendan Keilar. Brendan Keilar was murdered in the Central Business District of Melbourne on 18 June 2007 when he selflessly went to the aid of a woman being brutally assaulted. His intervention showed remarkable bravery and public spirit, which is an example to our community.
An additional $1.7 million over four years was provided to expand the Family Income Management money management services in the four Cape York Welfare Reform Pilot communities. This measure includes $0.2 million of funding in 2007–08.
The Government provided $2.5 million in 2007–08 to the Daughters of Charity appeal for the establishment and associated costs of a new building in Fitzroy, Victoria. The Daughters of Charity undertake work in support of vulnerable members of the community, including through drug and alcohol counselling, assistance for homeless women and psychiatric disability rehabilitation services.
On 10 June 2007, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) was activated in response to the Hunter and Central Coast storms and floods. It provided $1,000 per adult and $400 per child to assist those adversely affected by the disaster. This was the largest activation to date, with more than 31,500 claims granted and $27.9 million in payments provided in 2007–08.
On 29 June 2007, the AGDRP was activated to assist people adversely affected as a direct result of the storms and flooding in Gippsland, Victoria. Some 648 claims were granted, totalling $762,800.
In September 2007, the Government announced an additional $4.5 million over two years for the Emergency Relief Program on top of $1.5 million to be provided in 2007–08. The additional funding is to help address the social issues being faced by farmers and rural communities in Exceptional Circumstances drought-declared areas.
On 6 September 2007, the former Prime Minister authorised the Equine Workers’ Hardship Wage Supplement Payment. The payment was up to the equivalent of the maximum rate of Newstart Allowance. It was available to workers involved in commercial horse‑dependent industries whose incomes had been reduced due to the equine influenza outbreak in New South Wales and Queensland.
On 17 October 2007, the former Prime Minister also authorised an extension of the Equine Workers’ Hardship Wage Supplement Payment for a further 12 weeks. At the end of this period, the payment was extended for an additional five weeks. The payment was available for a total of 29 weeks, from 25 August 2007 until 14 March 2008, and some 6,202 claims were granted, totalling $6.1 million.
The Department established the Office of Housing to facilitate and coordinate housing policy and programs, including high-quality implementation plans for new housing initiatives.
A grant of $200,000 over two years to Foodbank SA is being provided to supply food to a network of welfare agencies across metropolitan and rural South Australia. Foodbank SA sources donations from the food and grocery industry for supply to welfare agencies for use in their food relief programs.
The Home in Queanbeyan project will provide funding for the development of a residential complex for homeless people with mental health issues. The project aims to build a complex of 20 one‑bedroom units, with communal and administrative facilities. These will be used to provide long‑term housing and respite beds for people with mental illness who are homeless. The Government’s funding component is for capital costs only. The business plan for the Home in Queanbeyan project anticipates that the annual operational costs of the project will be funded by grants, mental health programs, donations and in‑kind support.
FaHCSIA facilitated the establishment of the National Housing Supply Council to report on the adequacy of construction and land supply in Australia.
Funding was provided to assist with operational costs of hosting the 2007 Sydney Christmas Parade.
This measure applies to Outcomes 1, 2, and 4. Refer to the Outcome 1 performance report for details on this measure.
In January 2008, the cumulative impact of significant rainfall throughout Northern Queensland led to major flooding throughout most of the state. Two-thirds of Queensland (1.2 million square kilometres) was affected by the flooding, with 43 local government areas declared as natural disaster zones at that time. Within days, this had increased to 55 disaster-declared local government authority areas.
Then in February, Mackay and its surrounding regions endured some of the most severe rainfall ever recorded in Australia, with over 600mm falling within six hours. Up to 4,000 homes in the town were affected by the worst floodwaters in 90 years.
The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) was activated to assist more than 9,100 individuals in the affected communities to recover from the floods.
A Mackay family with young children suffered flood damage to their home and their washing machine was destroyed. This created a major problem due to the daily volume of nappies and clothing that required washing. Having resorted to using a commercial laundromat, their washing was costing them up to $20 per day. The family applied for and was granted the AGDRP, which enabled them to buy a new washing machine.
This AGDRP payment is one example of ways in which the Government provides practical disaster assistance to families who are undergoing traumatic and stressful events.
An evaluation of the Commonwealth Financial Counselling (Sugar Industry Reform) Program was undertaken in 2007–08. The evaluation identified the models and approaches used by funded Commonwealth Financial Counselling services and highlighted their strengths and weaknesses. The evaluation developed a set of good practice principles to guide the development and implementation of future target group-specific, and time‑limited, financial counselling programs.
An evaluation of money management services operating in remote and regional Indigenous communities is planned for 2008–09.
FaHCSIA conducted an internal review of the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment during 2007–08. The findings will inform future policy and operational refinements. Recommendations will be implemented in 2008–09.
An evaluation framework was developed to measure the effectiveness of Australian Government disaster recovery assistance packages. Consultation with Australian Government Disaster Recovery Committee member agencies was undertaken in developing the framework.
The Tropical Cyclone Larry disaster recovery assistance package was used to trial the effectiveness of the framework. Findings from the trial supported the evaluation framework being an effective means to assess the whole‑of‑government decision‑making arrangements and processes surrounding disaster recovery assistance. The framework will help improve future disaster recovery policy, payments, and delivery of services.
The final evaluation of Household Organisational Management Expense (HOME) Advice, completed in 2008, focused on three themes:
The evaluation found that 92 per cent of families assisted by the HOME Advice Program remained in their homes, or were able to improve their housing. The program was found to be effective and efficient in preventing family homelessness. The evaluation recommended a national expansion of the program.
The end of cycle review report on the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) was provided to the Housing Ministers’ Advisory Committee, which noted the report’s generally positive conclusions and recommendations for future improvement. It was agreed that these findings would be taken into account in negotiating future arrangements with AHURI.
An early intervention and family support service for young mothers and their children in Bourke, called the Strong Young Mums Program, has been made possible through Local Answers program funding. Local Answers helps strengthen disadvantaged communities by funding local, small scale, time‑limited projects that help communities build parenting and relationship skills, and assist families and communities to become more self‑reliant.
Run by Centacare, the Strong Young Mums Program is not designed specifically for Indigenous clients, but over 90 per cent of the participants are Indigenous. It targets mothers aged between 15 and 25 years and aims to provide community engagement, social and emotional support and accredited training.
The program teaches positive parenting techniques, provides a home visiting service for practical support, and establishes peer groups to help participants encourage one another.
Another key aim of the program is to assist all women to attain Year 10 or 12 equivalency certificates. TAFE runs a course which helps reintroduce them to a classroom environment, given that many have had broken or minimal prior education. Child care is available during the course, which serves to enhance social skills and early learning opportunities for the children.
Cooking, nutrition and clothing production courses are also run to help establish self‑sufficiency and improved health outcomes. The Strong Young Mums Program fills an important need in the Bourke community, attracting strong referrals and achieving positive results. It has also been awarded the Norma Parker Award through Catholic Social Services for being their most innovative program.
The Government is committed to reducing economic and social disadvantage, and in supporting socially-inclusive communities.
The Young Women’s Christian Association of Adelaide Inc received Local Answers program funding to continue the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program in the Adelaide metropolitan area. The project assists at-risk young people aged 7–13 to develop social support networks and enhance their interpersonal skills by matching eligible young people with mentors.
The project increases the self‑confidence and relationship skills of the young people through supportive adult mentoring and role modelling. It provides support to their parents to improve family interactions and reduce their isolation. It also builds the foundations for a stronger and more self‑reliant community by fostering volunteer opportunities and increasing community awareness of mentoring.
Over the last four years, the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program has worked with more than 40 young people. Parents have reported improved behaviour and academic performance. The Big Brothers, Big Sisters program won both the National and State National Australia Bank Volunteering Awards for 2007.
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