This Government is making no secret of the fact that this year’s Federal budget is going to be a tough one. Inflation and cost of living pressures are on the rise, we have a war in the Middle East and in a tight fiscal environment it is natural that Government is going to be looking to find savings. In the lead up to the May Federal Budget, I’ve been taking the opportunity to meet with politicians and their staffers whilst in Canberra to remind them about the significant benefit our services provide to children, women, men and communities across Australia. Our early intervention/prevention services provide vital supports to people across the lifecourse and our Cost Benefit Analysis Report is being put to good use in demonstrating the value of Family and Relationship Services to not only the Government but to the Australian community.
Earlier this week I attended the first meeting of the Department of Social Services’ Community Sector Advisory Group (CSAG) this year. We are extremely fortunate to have Assistant Minster Ged Kearney Chair that meeting. It is clear she is very alive to the issues that are raised by the Members of CSAG and that she values being part of the conversation. There was no further advice or clarity able to be provided at that meeting regarding the FaC Reform, outcomes of the consultation or any timelines or information about a grants process. However, we were advised the Government was working on a summary document capturing the key points and themes coming through the responses to the Discussion Paper with public release due over the coming weeks.
It is also clear the Government is progressing their work on Relational Contracting arrangements and very conscientiously exploring what that will look like in practice. We also heard that the DEX data team has been developing a training package for service providers adapting to the newly released changes to DEX and SCORE. We have had the benefit of a sneak peak into that training and would strongly encourage our members to join one of the webinar offerings that were sent out from the Data Exchange earlier this week. This would have gone to your organisation’s nominated activity contact. If that person has not seen it – you are advised to contact your FAM.
And whilst I have spoken about the Federal Budget in May – it is also the month in which we celebrate Families Week and hold the FRSA Conference. The dates of the event in Brisbane this year are 18-21 May and we are edging ever closer to the 500 delegate mark two months out! That is exciting. Even more exciting – I am pleased to announce that we will have the two new Children’s Commissioners joining us as keynote speakers – the Inaugural National Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, Sue-Anne Hunter; and the National Children’s Commissioner – Deb Tsorbaris. Her Honour, Judge Kylie Beckhouse, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and Chair of the FCFCOA’s Family Violence Committee has also accepted our invitation to speak at the Conference. Conference 2026 is shaping up as another great event for the sector.
You can register here.
