Funding for Newman financial counselling service

11/7/96

Family and Children's Services has agreed to fund the Pilbara Community Legal Service to provide financial counselling in the Newman until mid-1998.

Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes announced today that an agreement had been signed with the service which guaranteed it $47,740 a year until June 30, 1998.

Mrs Edwardes said the service gave financial counselling to families and individuals on low incomes, who were having problems with their money. This full-time service would be in Newman and as an outreach service in Nullagine, Marble Bar and Jigalong.

"People are helped to budget and make informed decisions about their finances," Mrs Edwardes said.

"They are given support and skills and the ability to identify problems which help them become financially stable and independent.

"The service also helps people develop new community resources and networks so that the local needs of Aboriginal people are met.

"A great deal of stress is taken out of people's lives when they can manage their finances well which is a benefit to them and the community."

Mrs Edwardes said she believed the agreement would enable the agency to provide programs and courses to meet the needs of local residents.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777