Senator Woodley asked the Minister representing the Minister for Family Services, upon notice, on 18 June 1997:

(1) Can the Department list in detail the full elements of savings proposed under the broadbanding of family services.

(2) Is there an explanation as to why the details of the individual elements were not in the original budget papers.

(3) With reference to the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Program and the Youth Activities Services (YAS) Program: (a) is the department aware that these 2 programs are completely different; (b) is it not true that claims of refocusing are misleading; and (c) is it not true that family resource centres are being completely defunded.

(4) (a) What are the operational details of the $2.5 million allocation to YAS; and (b) will the allocation of money be based on tender submissions etcetera.

(5) Was the decision to defund FRC based on concerns about performance; if so, what are examples of these concerns.

(6) Is the department aware of initiatives of the FRC national network to expand the FRC model and the nature and national significance of its activities.

(7) Given that the Commonwealth pulled out of directly funding family support in 1988, how does it justify its decision to take money from infrastructure support and re-allocate it to family support.

(8) What consultations and negotiations took place with the FRC and YAS and people affected by this decision.

(9) What strategies will the Commonwealth use to ensure a coordinated approach to providing family support services.

(10) (a) Where is the evidence that it was a 5-year program; (b) were the centres ever informed of this; and (c) why were FRCs required by the Minister as part of this funding agreement to consult and prepare a 3-year strategic plan that ends in 1999.

(11) How does this decision sit the Prime Minister's election promise to maintain funding to the FRC program.

(12) Has this cut/saving contributed to the departmental administration costs increase of $10 million in the 1996-97 budget.

Senator Ellison —The Minister for Family Services has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1 and 2) Decisions on where the savings will be achieved are being taken on a progressive basis. Decisions have already been taken to terminate funding for eleven (11) Family Resource Centres and to redirect funding to provide direct support for families with adolescent children in over 90 disadvantaged areas supported by Youth Activities Services; to discontinue funding for the Work and Childcare Advisory Agencies; and to rationalise funding for resource and advisory agencies funded under Childcare Special Services and Childcare Program Support.

(3) (a) Yes.

(b) and (c) Funds will be refocused to provide direct support to families with adolescent children in over ninety (90) areas currently supported by Youth Activities Services.

(4) (a) The sponsoring body of each Youth Activities Service will be offered funding to employ a part-time family support worker. These workers will work with families of troubled or disadvantaged young people to help them deal with difficulties, such as family conflict, lack of communication or other issues which impact on their well-being as families. The family support workers will be required to work together with existing support services in their communities, to achieve the best possible outcome for young people and their families in a cost effective manner.

(b) No.

(5) The eleven (11) Family Resource Centres were established in 1991 as time-limited projects, to facilitate co-ordination and to transfer skills to local services to help them better serve their local communities.

(6) No.

(7) This initiative further increases support for families with adolescent children.

(8) Family Resource Centres were advised of the Budget-related decision as soon as possible after the decision was taken.

(9) The family support workers employed by Youth Activities Services sponsor bodies will be required to work closely with existing support services, to achieve the best possible outcomes for young people and their families in a cost effective manner.

(10) (a) Family Resource Centres were initially established for a three-year period subject to ongoing evaluation. Initial discussions with State and Territory Governments on the establishment of Family Resource Centres addressed how long it would take to develop and transfer skills to services in the area and the concept of a limited time period in each area.

(b) Each Centre entered into a yearly service agreement with the Commonwealth.

(c) This was a decision of the previous Minister.

(11) The Prime Minister promised only to maintain current levels of funding in the Human Services area which included Family Resource Centres. Funding levels for the Family and Children's Services Program have increased from $1.170 billion in 1995-96 to $1.239 billion in 1996-97 and $1.338 billion in the 1997-98 Budget.

(12) No.