Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Community services conference challenges the value of economic rationalism

Over 100 delegates who travelled to Adelaide for the first Local Government Community Services Association Conference to be held in South Australia for four years, heard about the impact economic rationalism is having at the local level.

President of the Association Liz Dalston said as Federal and State Governments are continuing to narrow their definition of core business an increasing burden is falling on Local Government providers.

"We are increasingly picking up responsibilities that other spheres of government will no longer provide," she said. "And our customers clearly expect us to provide these services." She pointed out that at the same time as the Commonwealth and States are cutting back on the provision of services, policy decisions are exacerbating problems.

"For example, the decision to introduce the youth allowance has meant that older teenagers cannot live independently and must rely on family support," she said. "Often those families are not in a position to be able to support young adults indefinitely and this can create further difficulties and demand for services."

Keynote speaker to the Conference, author Bob Ellis, said economic rationalism was causing enormous divisions in Australian society, a point of view reiterated by the Chair of the South Australian Council of Social Services Gael Fraser.

Gael Fraser said South Australia experiences particular difficulties which are worsened by economic rationalism. She noted that the South Australian economy is experiencing the slowest growth of all the States. On top of which it has an increasingly ageing population and high levels of unemployment, all issues which are further exacerbated in country areas.

Other issues identified as causing problems for service provision in remote areas included funding of short term one off initiatives. This provides no continuity, no accounting for time taken accessing distant clients, lack of employment opportunities and resulting health and other problems causing more people to come on to the client list.

Liz Dalston said potential solutions arising from the Conference included the use of technology to improve service delivery, marketing and sponsorship arrangements to raise funds, and partnerships with other government bodies to integrate services.

She said the latter is potentially being assisted by the integration of Community Services with Health, Housing and Family Services in a 'super' Department which brings together areas with a common client base. "This reflects the role of Local Government which identifies the multiple needs of clients and acts appropriately as a Care Planner in many matters," she said.

For further information contact Liz Dalston, telephone (08) 8406 8312.

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