Canberra Liberals MLA Chiaka Barry brought forward a motion calling on the Government to improve clarity around funding decisions for the ACT’s community services sector. The funding arrangements for many community service organisations in the ACT are due to expire at the end of the financial year, and with this uncertainty, they cannot plan ahead or resource appropriately to deliver urgently-needed services. This is compounded by the ACT Budget being handed down later than any other jurisdiction — on 24 June.

Canberra Liberals MLA Chiaka Barry brought forward a motion calling on the Government to improve clarity around funding decisions for the ACT’s community services sector. The funding arrangements for many community service organisations in the ACT are due to expire at the end of the financial year, and with this uncertainty, they cannot plan ahead or resource appropriately to deliver urgently-needed services. This is compounded by the ACT Budget being handed down later than any other jurisdiction — on 24 June.

The motion seeks to address this by calling on the Government to reassess budget announcement timeframes and ensure sustainable funding for community service organisations. The motion was successfully amended by ACT Labor, with support from the Canberra Liberals and ACT Greens, and the amended motion passed with unanimous support from the Assembly.