Page 1541 - Week 05 - Thursday, 7 April 2005
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In recognition of the expertise of Lifeline Canberra in providing quality telephone counselling services, in 2004-05 the ACT government provided recurrent funding to Lifeline to continue the Canberra Emergency Accommodation Service pilot project in partnership with Anglicare. This service works with Anglicare and other supported accommodated assistance program providers and is another example of Lifeline’s ability to form innovative partnerships.
In this partnership, Lifeline provides a telephone information and counselling service that assists people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to access crisis and emergency accommodation options. Lifeline receives $88,550 to provide this service. Anglicare provides access to accommodation and support, which includes overnight accommodation in caravans and motels, to provide an immediate response to homelessness. In 2003-04, the CEAS project answered 2,500 telephone calls in response to people seeking information or counselling in relation to homelessness.
The ACT government has developed a community-wide framework in Breaking the cycle—the ACT homelessness strategy to deliver a continuum of services that respond to the causes and effects of homelessness. Lifeline’s role is to make the process of seeking information and assistance with emergency accommodation easier. Lifeline Canberra also received $64,000 to provide the Lifeline Youth Network X—LYNX—program. This service is better known under its former name of Youthline.
Mr Speaker, we can talk about the way in which the government is providing plenty of financial support to Lifeline but, at the end of the day, if the people who make up Lifeline did not do what they do we would have nothing to support. We recognise the worth of the contribution that Lifeline makes to very critical issues in this town. I could probably spend twice as long listing all the things they do and talking about how much money Lifeline has received from successive governments over the years to make sure that it remains in existence. As I said, Mr Speaker, I was here when it kicked off and I sincerely hope that it will be here forever. I was really glad to see that Telstra came to its senses and continued its support. Instead of having funding taken away, Lifeline should be given an award.
MRS BURKE (Molonglo) (3.53): I rise to support Ms MacDonald’s worthy MPI highlighting the valuable work and support systems Lifeline puts in place for the benefit of all Canberrans, especially for people who are most vulnerable and require high levels of support to put them back on track. I acknowledge, and it is pleasing and encouraging to see, Ms Marie Bennett, executive director, along with other staff and board members, in the public gallery. We often debate things like this but we do not often get the opportunity to meet face-to-face those people that we are trying to support.
It must be recognised that recently Lifeline’s longer-term viability came under threat due to a review of funding arrangements with a major sponsor. A couple of members have spoken about that. It is important to note that this matter was resolved and it would appear that a feasible agreement has been entered into for the benefit of both parties. I think Mr Hargreaves is quite right: public outcry is often worth doing and oftentimes we see good outcomes. But I will put aside financial matters, although I know money is a very big thing when running organisations like this.
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