Page 1138 - Week 03 - Thursday, 22 March 2012
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The statement sets out four concise principles which recognise the benefits, opportunities and requirements associated with volunteering. Volunteering is recognised; it is valuable. Volunteering is diverse and volunteering is supported. Through the statement we aim to strengthen the contribution of volunteers in the ACT by raising community awareness about volunteering and recognising the contribution of volunteers in promoting its benefits. Volunteering is for all Canberrans, as we all benefit.
In addition, the statement reflects the national volunteering strategy released last year and the Canberra social plan. The volunteering statement is a clear commitment of the ACT Labor government to supporting and recognising our diverse and valuable volunteers. I look forward to updating the Assembly as we work through a whole-of-government approach.
MR HARGREAVES: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hargreaves.
MR HARGREAVES: Minister, in terms of the support the government gives volunteers in the ACT, how has the ACT government made sure its grant program policies ensure that only genuine volunteers and bona fide committee organisations will benefit from future ACT government grants?
MS BURCH: I thank Mr Hargreaves for his interest in fair and accountable use of grants through Volunteering ACT. The Community Services Directorate manages a range of grants, and these are directed to assisting Canberra’s most vulnerable and their families. The ACT Labor government recognised the importance of volunteers in assisting vulnerable people during the global financial crisis by providing $1.25 million to Volunteering ACT for the volunteer grants program. This program was designed to assist volunteers with the increasing costs associated with volunteering, contributing to the cost of fuel, transport and parking.
The services were granted to sporting clubs, church groups, parents and citizens associations, health and multicultural support groups, arts organisations, community groups, scouts and guides, emergency services and senior citizen groups. I would like to take the opportunity to thank those groups for the work they do.
It is always unfortunate that there will be people in our society that try and exploit these kinds of programs at the expense of the most vulnerable in our community. Acknowledging that, we have undertaken an audit of the grants program and have put in place very strong systems to make sure there is clear accountability for authorisation of payments and grants. I am confident that these measures will ensure compliance with the policies so that these important grants can never be used for the personal advantage of the Canberra Liberals ever again. I add for the record that the Canberra Liberals repaid that ill-gotten $10,000 grant, but only after they were dragged kicking and screaming to admit they had done the wrong thing. They were shortly after found wanting again by using Assembly resources to print fundraising invitations, and they had to agree that was wrong also. (Time expired.)
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