Member for Barker Tony Pasin is calling on the Federal Labor Government to immediately release funding to see vital drug and alcohol support services in Barker.
The Coalition Government committed more than $343 million over four years under an extension of the National Ice Action Strategy (NIAS) in the ongoing fight to reduce the impact of ice, other drugs and alcohol commencing from the 2022-23 financial year.
Three organisations in Barker were to receive funding under the funding program to continue existing support services in the Murraylands and Limestone Coast.
Announcing the funding in March this year, Mr Pasin said the Coalition had funded the continuation of services expecting the funding to be rolled out to organisations to ensure continuation of services and the Labor Government’s delay was unacceptable.
“These organisations will be unable to continue services and programs will be forced to cease if funding is not received soon,” Mr Pasin said.
“Since 2016, the National Ice Action Strategy (NIAS) has helped thousands of people gain access to treatment programs and supported communities across Australia to tackle local drug and alcohol issues with local solutions. This is particularly important in regions that are not in close proximity to metropolitan based Alcohol and other Drug (AOD) services, allowing clients to access help while remaining in their community with their support network of family and friends,”
“I advocated strongly for NIAS funding to continue for organisations the Limestone Coast and Murray Mallee because these programs have made a real difference to people’s lives. To have these programs cease would leave a substantial service gap in these communities.”
“I’m calling for the Minister to release the budgeted funding as a matter of urgency and give certainty to the staff and clients that these programs will continue,” Mr Pasin said.
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