Proactive approach to deliver better outcomes for vulnerable families

At an inaugural roundtable today, Premier Mark McGowan met with the Western Australian community services sector to better understand the challenges it is facing and how government can best provide support.
  • Premier holds inaugural roundtable with community services sector to hear first-hand its views on emerging issues.

At an inaugural roundtable today, Premier Mark McGowan met with the Western Australian community services sector to better understand the challenges it is facing and how government can best provide support.

With the State's unemployment rate last year hitting a 15-year-high, there has been an increased pressure on community service providers.  The McGowan Government is implementing several strategies, including a review into the public sector, to ensure the State's most vulnerable are getting the support they need, when they need it.

The Premier and Community Services Minister Simone McGurk had an open discussion with the sector about what the Government's commitments are for supporting communities and what opportunities there are to collaborate.

State Government investment in the community sector totals about $1.65 billion a year. There are about 1,500 service agreements between State Government agencies and the community services sector. The newly created Department for Community Services will have responsibility for almost half of all those services.

Comments attributed to Premier Mark McGowan:

"Today's roundtable is an important step in ensuring we deliver the best outcomes for all Western Australians.  Community services is a priority area for my Government - it is central to our social contract with the people of WA.

"Our current cluster of challenging circumstances means there's a large number of people in significant need.  The community services sector is pivotal in delivering services to those most vulnerable and is a significant contributor to economic growth and employment in WA."

Comments attributed to Community Services Minister Simone McGurk:

"I am acutely aware that evidence shows when people and organisations work together collectively, we achieve better outcomes for individuals, the community and government.

"This roundtable is the start of a new partnership between the Government and community services.  It's an important part of a collaborative working relationship between all community services stakeholders, public and not-for-profit, in the years ahead."

 Premier's office - 6552 5000

Community Services Minister's office - 6552 6600