Mr Lee asked the Minister for Family Services, upon notice, on 22 June 1998:

(1) What is the Government's position on the importance of the Safety House Program.

(2) What sum did the Commonwealth provide to Safety House Australia Inc. in each financial year since 1992-93.

(3) Did the Government abolish ongoing funding for Safety House Australia from 1997-98; if so, why.

(4) Did the Government subsequently approve a one-off grant of $100 000 to Safety House Austral ia; if so, was the decision to abandon ongoing funding soundly based.

(5) What provision has been made for the continuing operation of Safety House Australia Inc. in 1998-99.

Mr Warwick Smith (Minister for Family Services) —The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:

(1) The Government is aware of the important community service provided by Safety House Australia. It is a good example of co-operative community based activity with benefits for Australian families and their children.

(2) The Commonwealth provided a one-off grant of $100 000 in December 1997 for the national secretariat activities of Safety House Australia Incorporated only for the 1997-98 financial year. The National Association of Safety House Australia Incorporated was formed in February 1993 with sponsorship from the Medical Benefits Fund of Australia Limited. This sponsorship terminated at the end of 1996.

(3) No. The grant of $100 000 for the national secretariat activities of Safety House Australia Incorporated was one-off for the 1997-98 financial year.

(4) See Answer (3) above.

(5) In accordance with the terms and conditions of the grant, no further provision has been made by the Department of Health and Family Services for 1998-99. In a Letter of Acceptance of grant conditions in January 1998 from the Board of Management of Safety House Australia Incorporated, it was agreed that the grant of $100 000 was to provide one-off financial support to the national secretariat to enable the organisation to work towards becoming financially self sufficient and plan for income generation. The organisation is to report to the Commonwealth by 30 August 1998 on how this grant has been used.