Released 12/09/2017
A new report on the ACT and emergency relief is released today. The report will enable Government to better target emergency relief, such as food or financial services to those who need it most.
Despite the ACT having the highest median weekly income in Australia, there are people in our city who experience financial distress at various points in their lives.
Emergency relief is a stopgap measure to help people with immediate and unplanned short-term financial difficulties. Emergency relief includes food, household goods, clothing, transport, assistance for prescription medicines, utility payments and other vouchers.
The ACT Government supports emergency relief through its Emergency Material and Financial Aid (EMFA) Program which assists a number of charity and community groups to provide emergency relief.
The Community Services Directorate commissioned the report from leading researchers at the Public Service Research Group at the University of New South Wales, bringing together insights from national and ACT data, existing providers, and those who work with the most vulnerable in our community.
The report recognises the important role many emergency relief providers play in being the first point-of-contact for vulnerable Canberrans.
The report highlights existing good practice in the sector and the need to further develop a model in which vulnerable families are supported, included and referred to appropriate services.
The report’s findings, along with conversations at two recent community forums, will shape future delivery of emergency relief in the ACT.
The report can be accessed here: http://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/emergency-material-and-financial-aid-project
- Statement ends -
Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases
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