Victorian Neighbourhood Houses campaign for realistic funding

Campaign enters crucial pre-budget phase

Victorian Neighbourhood Houses continue their longstanding struggle for realistic funding for the sector. The campaign supporting their Budget Submission ask of $84 million over 5 years is in a crucial period – post Commonwealth Games and school holidays and pre-Budget.

The Association of Neighbourhood Houses & Learning Centres (ANHLC) April Newsletter asks supporters to keep up the flow of campaign postcards and letters to MPs. They now have a campaign fund of $11,975 made up of contributions from 116 Houses and 3 individuals, which is being used to pay for campaign materials such as the post cards and some staff time.

In the lead up to the Budget announcement on May 30 both the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) and the Australian Services Union (ASU) have said they are happy to support the funding campaign however they can.

ANHLC, while happy the State Government has produced a Neighbourhood House postcard – acknowldeging the sector’s role in strengthening local communities -and deliverd it to all local libraries, they are concerned that it is misleading with what it says about funding.

The additional funding referred to is ‘catch up’ funding which:

1. funded the 76 unfunded houses (in July 2000 and only at current inadequate levels!)
2. funded adjustments that flowed on from the Price Indexation arrangements eg Safety Net and Work Cover premium increases.

This $12.4 million is welcome but until the $84 million over 5 years is secured the viability of the sector remains precarious.