Tax Help 2007
A volunteer service supported by the Tax Office
Giving advice and help in preparing simple tax returns and other tax forms for individual taxpayers.
Are your tax affairs simple?
Do you earn less than $35,000?
You could be eligible for FREE help with your Tax Return.
Appointments can only be made on the days and times given on the roster.
For more information and an appointment time contact Manning Valley Neighbourhood Services on 6553 5121
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
ACOSS Action Network
Please send a message to your local Member of Parliament on effective and proven action to stop Aboriginal child abuse and disadvantage.
The Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT (CAO), representing over 40 Aboriginal organisations, encourage Australians to support them by sending a message to their Members of Parliament. The CAO released a paper on proven and effective responses to tackle child abuse and disadvantage on July 10.
When Parliament considers legislation to protect children in the Northern Territory please ask them to consult with Aboriginal communities and develop plans for working with them. You can ask your MP to support the expansion of programs that have already been proven to work, and ensure that the hard fought land rights of Indigenous people remain in place.
Please click through to send a message to your MP. Visit http://www.acoss.org.au/Action.aspx
Kind Regards
The ACOSS Action Network Team
The Combined Aboriginal Organisations of the NT (CAO), representing over 40 Aboriginal organisations, encourage Australians to support them by sending a message to their Members of Parliament. The CAO released a paper on proven and effective responses to tackle child abuse and disadvantage on July 10.
When Parliament considers legislation to protect children in the Northern Territory please ask them to consult with Aboriginal communities and develop plans for working with them. You can ask your MP to support the expansion of programs that have already been proven to work, and ensure that the hard fought land rights of Indigenous people remain in place.
Please click through to send a message to your MP. Visit http://www.acoss.org.au/Action.aspx
Kind Regards
The ACOSS Action Network Team
Area Assistance Scheme
AREA ASSISTANCE SCHEME 2008 FUNDING
Are you an incorporated, non-profit community organisation or local Council with a community project idea that requires funding?
The Area Assistance Scheme, administered by the Department of Community Services, provides funding for innovative, self-help projects and partnerships that improve social and community infrastructure.
Details are available from www.communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au/aas. Contact the Senior Regional Strategies Officer - Funded Programs at the North Coast Regional Office (6641 2445) or the Community Project Officer at your local Council for a registration code.
The Scheme opens 4 August and closes 5.00pm, on 5 September 2007
For more information visit the website at http://www2.communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au/funding/2433.html
Lulu Davis
Community Development Worker
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
P.O Box 84
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Ph: 6581 8545
Fax: 6581 8033
maya.spannari@pmhc.nsw.gov.au
Are you an incorporated, non-profit community organisation or local Council with a community project idea that requires funding?
The Area Assistance Scheme, administered by the Department of Community Services, provides funding for innovative, self-help projects and partnerships that improve social and community infrastructure.
Details are available from www.communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au/aas. Contact the Senior Regional Strategies Officer - Funded Programs at the North Coast Regional Office (6641 2445) or the Community Project Officer at your local Council for a registration code.
The Scheme opens 4 August and closes 5.00pm, on 5 September 2007
For more information visit the website at http://www2.communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au/funding/2433.html
Lulu Davis
Community Development Worker
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
P.O Box 84
Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Ph: 6581 8545
Fax: 6581 8033
maya.spannari@pmhc.nsw.gov.au
Friday, 13 July 2007
SACs Award
SACS AWARD: Act now to ensure the Commonwealth pays its fair share
On March 3rd 2006 the NSW Industrial Relations Commission awarded a 3.5% increase in award wages for SACS workers each year for the next three years. These increases were payable from the 1st of July in 2006, 2007, 2008. These increases are fair and reasonable and have been granted under the laws of the State of NSW.
These increases in wages must be paid by every service covered by the SACS Award (unless the organisation has its own Enterprise Bargaining Agreement which excludes the Award rates of pay).
Each year the Commonwealth and State Governments supplement or index grants to non government organisations. These increases are designed to meet the increased costs of wages and of inflation.
Current situation
In 2006-07, following a strong campaign from the sector, the NSW Government agreed to provide 3.3% indexation to all State funded services, including the State portion of programs jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the State. For HACC services, 3.3% for services was negotiated through the HACC State plan, but the Commonwealth’s share was taken out of growth. The Commonwealth did not provide indexation at a level that would meet SACS increases.
In 2007-08, we have been advised that all NSW Government departments that fund NGOs subject to the SACS Award will:
Provide 3.3% in 07-08 in all State only funding programs (including CSTDA) to NGOs, commencing from 1 July 2007.
Provide 3.3% in 06-07 in Commonwealth-State funding programs to NGOs for the portion of the program that is funded by the State (eg SAAP, Community Legal Centres but does not include HACC). This commences on 1 July 2007. NSW will also lobby the Commonwealth to match for its portion to the full 3.3%.
DADHC will include 3.3% indexation in their funding plans for programs jointly funded by NSW and the Commonwealth on an agreed matched formula (eg Home and Community Care Program).
The Commonwealth is not providing indexation at a level that would meet the SACS award (in SAAP, for example, indexation remains at 2.15% for the Commonwealth share).
The commitment of NSW will significantly assist the NGO sector in lobbying the Commonwealth to match the 3.3% State contribution. It also places the State in a more principled negotiation position and provides at least some certainty to organizations facing salary increases from 1 July.
This victory is due to the efforts of organisations, workers and service users in the weeks running up to the state budget. Now we need to put the same effort into lobbying the Commonwealth to at least match this level of indexation.
Our task
We need to stress to the Commonwealth that our demand for a minimum 3.3% indexation is simply about adequately funding the real cost of community services.
The message is that if they do not provide 3.3% indexation, services will need to be reduced. The blame for this will rest solely with the Commonwealth because the NSW Government is willing to pay its fair share.
We need to work together to get that commitment from the Commonwealth government.
Click on the link below to open the campaign kit – let’s work together to secure a minimum 3.3%!
http://www.ncoss.org.au/hot/sacs/SACS-Funding-Comm-Campaign-Kit-July07.pdf
If you can’t open this link, go to the NCOSS website www.ncoss.org.au and click on link “SACS Award Commonwealth Funding Campaign Kit” on the front page.
Regards
Linda Frow
Acting Director
NCOSS
66 Albion St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Ph: 9211 2599 Ext 111
email: lindaf@ncoss.org.au
On March 3rd 2006 the NSW Industrial Relations Commission awarded a 3.5% increase in award wages for SACS workers each year for the next three years. These increases were payable from the 1st of July in 2006, 2007, 2008. These increases are fair and reasonable and have been granted under the laws of the State of NSW.
These increases in wages must be paid by every service covered by the SACS Award (unless the organisation has its own Enterprise Bargaining Agreement which excludes the Award rates of pay).
Each year the Commonwealth and State Governments supplement or index grants to non government organisations. These increases are designed to meet the increased costs of wages and of inflation.
Current situation
In 2006-07, following a strong campaign from the sector, the NSW Government agreed to provide 3.3% indexation to all State funded services, including the State portion of programs jointly funded by the Commonwealth and the State. For HACC services, 3.3% for services was negotiated through the HACC State plan, but the Commonwealth’s share was taken out of growth. The Commonwealth did not provide indexation at a level that would meet SACS increases.
In 2007-08, we have been advised that all NSW Government departments that fund NGOs subject to the SACS Award will:
Provide 3.3% in 07-08 in all State only funding programs (including CSTDA) to NGOs, commencing from 1 July 2007.
Provide 3.3% in 06-07 in Commonwealth-State funding programs to NGOs for the portion of the program that is funded by the State (eg SAAP, Community Legal Centres but does not include HACC). This commences on 1 July 2007. NSW will also lobby the Commonwealth to match for its portion to the full 3.3%.
DADHC will include 3.3% indexation in their funding plans for programs jointly funded by NSW and the Commonwealth on an agreed matched formula (eg Home and Community Care Program).
The Commonwealth is not providing indexation at a level that would meet the SACS award (in SAAP, for example, indexation remains at 2.15% for the Commonwealth share).
The commitment of NSW will significantly assist the NGO sector in lobbying the Commonwealth to match the 3.3% State contribution. It also places the State in a more principled negotiation position and provides at least some certainty to organizations facing salary increases from 1 July.
This victory is due to the efforts of organisations, workers and service users in the weeks running up to the state budget. Now we need to put the same effort into lobbying the Commonwealth to at least match this level of indexation.
Our task
We need to stress to the Commonwealth that our demand for a minimum 3.3% indexation is simply about adequately funding the real cost of community services.
The message is that if they do not provide 3.3% indexation, services will need to be reduced. The blame for this will rest solely with the Commonwealth because the NSW Government is willing to pay its fair share.
We need to work together to get that commitment from the Commonwealth government.
Click on the link below to open the campaign kit – let’s work together to secure a minimum 3.3%!
http://www.ncoss.org.au/hot/sacs/SACS-Funding-Comm-Campaign-Kit-July07.pdf
If you can’t open this link, go to the NCOSS website www.ncoss.org.au and click on link “SACS Award Commonwealth Funding Campaign Kit” on the front page.
Regards
Linda Frow
Acting Director
NCOSS
66 Albion St, Surry Hills, NSW 2010
Ph: 9211 2599 Ext 111
email: lindaf@ncoss.org.au
Friday, 6 July 2007
CSTDA Developments
Dear All,
RE: Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement
Alarming developments in the vexed CSTDA negotiations:
Yesterday, Federal Minister Brough wrote to State & Territory Ministers withdrawing the offer of uncapped matched growth funding under a new CSTDA for all but 3 jurisdictions (ie WA, NT and ACT). The State Ministers were working towards the deadline of 25 July when Federal and State Ministers were to meet in Sydney. At this meeting the state Ministers were intending to continue negotiations towards a national agreement that included dollar for dollar matched funding for all states with expenditure on unmet need for supported accommodation and respite over the life of the next CSTDA. This was to be an “open chequebook” offer. Minister Brough has now withdrawn this offer without notice, except for the above jurisdictions.
Last week, the Prime Minister announced the Disability Assistance package of $1.8billion over five years. Mr Howard, in his announcement speech, clearly stated that this was IN ADDITION to the CSTDA. As you are aware, the NSW Stronger Together Package plus the new Commonwealth Disability Assistance Package will provide possibly 1200 new accommodation places (generous estimates) up to 2011. The Australian Institute of Health & Welfare conservatively estimates that NSW will need 7000 supported accommodation places during this time. We desperately need the CSTDA to address unmet need in this area.
Minister Keneally will be issuing a statement today based on her immediate response letter to Minister Brough.
NCOSS and 12 other NSW organisations had signed off on a position statement before Minister Brough’s announcement. We will be updating this and promoting this issue with you and your constituents shortly. Please consider being part of this very important issue.
Please forward this throughout your networks.
Christine Regan
Senior Policy Officer
NCOSS
RE: Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement
Alarming developments in the vexed CSTDA negotiations:
Yesterday, Federal Minister Brough wrote to State & Territory Ministers withdrawing the offer of uncapped matched growth funding under a new CSTDA for all but 3 jurisdictions (ie WA, NT and ACT). The State Ministers were working towards the deadline of 25 July when Federal and State Ministers were to meet in Sydney. At this meeting the state Ministers were intending to continue negotiations towards a national agreement that included dollar for dollar matched funding for all states with expenditure on unmet need for supported accommodation and respite over the life of the next CSTDA. This was to be an “open chequebook” offer. Minister Brough has now withdrawn this offer without notice, except for the above jurisdictions.
Last week, the Prime Minister announced the Disability Assistance package of $1.8billion over five years. Mr Howard, in his announcement speech, clearly stated that this was IN ADDITION to the CSTDA. As you are aware, the NSW Stronger Together Package plus the new Commonwealth Disability Assistance Package will provide possibly 1200 new accommodation places (generous estimates) up to 2011. The Australian Institute of Health & Welfare conservatively estimates that NSW will need 7000 supported accommodation places during this time. We desperately need the CSTDA to address unmet need in this area.
Minister Keneally will be issuing a statement today based on her immediate response letter to Minister Brough.
NCOSS and 12 other NSW organisations had signed off on a position statement before Minister Brough’s announcement. We will be updating this and promoting this issue with you and your constituents shortly. Please consider being part of this very important issue.
Please forward this throughout your networks.
Christine Regan
Senior Policy Officer
NCOSS
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
