Welcome cut to red tape

New draft legislation introduced by the Queensland Government will cut red tape and make it easier for community service organisations to apply for funding, says the Queensland Council of Social Service.

The One Funding System for Better Services Bill was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday by the Minister for Community Services, Housing and Minister for Women, Karen Struthers, and will go to the Community Affairs Committee for consideration. It will apply across the whole of government and will affect local government and community organisations.

“QCOSS has been working with the government to ensure this legislation is appropriate for community service organisations and that issues affecting the sector have been worked out through the Futures Forum,” says QCOSS President Karyn Walsh.

“The One Funding legislation will mean organisations no longer have to refer to individual Acts and their provisions in applying for and reporting on funding. There will be obligations on the government to ensure responsible and prudent practices when allocating and managing the funding of services.”

QCOSS Director Mark Henley says development of the legislation has followed the commitments made as part of the Queensland Compact, which is an agreement about the way in which government and the community services sector work together.

“QCOSS welcomes this move towards more streamlined and efficient funding arrangements,” he says.

For 50 years QCOSS has strived to promote social justice through working to eliminate inequality and disadvantage. The Queensland Council of Social Service represents 650 organisations and individuals throughout the state.

Mark Henley 0448 075 087, Karyn Walsh 0413 619 785

Mark Jeffery 0419 732 583, Ian Wynne 0414 643 122

Jenny Whitworth 0417 779 819