Kelly Hoare (Charlton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Can the minister confirm that contracts for the Voluntary Work Initiative for organisations providing services for the federal divisions of Charlton, Dobell, Hunter, Paterson, Robertson and Shortland for 2006-07 have been finalised? Will the minister advise which organisations in those divisions have been awarded contracts to be VWI providers? (Extension of time granted) Can the minister advise when the contracts were finalised for 2006-07 and if all services will be able to commence on 1 July 2006? If there is any delay in the commencement period, will the minister advise why this is the case?

In relation to other services provided by support organisations, I have been advised by some that they have not received any advice from the government about the Welfare to Work changes so they do not know how they are going to affect the clients they case manage. Can the minister advise what efforts Centrelink has undertaken to keep welfare organisations and other non-government organisations aware of the government’s Welfare to Work changes and the impact these changes are expected to have on prospective clients of such organisations? Many welfare organisations have been contacted by their clients seeking advice and assistance in relation to changes. Will the minister be able to provide details of the resources that have been provided to organisations and workers in the welfare sector in the federal division of Charlton to ensure that they have been kept informed of the Welfare to Work changes?

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