Letter to the editor – Plunket and the slow strangulation of community organisations

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On 1 August, Titahi Bay resident, Anne Perry had this letter published in the Dominion Post;

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Ms Perry made pertinent points and raised the very real problem of funding cuts and terminated contracts for community organisations dealing with some of society’s most vulnerable and damaged people. Or helping people who were stressed from having to deal with life’s increasing pressures, complexities, and financial demands.

I added my thoughts to her call for greater funding for our community organisations;

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from: Frank Macskasy <fmacskasy@gmail.com>
to: Dominion Post <letters@dompost.co.nz>
date: Tue, Aug 2, 2016
subject: Letter to the editor

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The editor
Dominion Post

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Anne Perry’s letter criticising under-funding for Plunket highlights an ongoing crisis faced by many community organisations. (letters, 1 August)

National has slashed funding or terminated contracts, forcing NGOs to cut front-line staff and services. Some have closed altogether.

Women’s Refuge, 198 Youth Health Centre, Auckland Sex Abuse Help, Rape Prevention Education, Parents As First Teachers programme, Community Law Centre, Smokefree Coalition, Lifeline, Relationship Services, early childhood education, is a litany of cut-backs and closures.

In other instances, contracts are terminated and re-awarded to other organisations, resulting in a loss of institutional knowledge and experience.

An example of near closure last year was the Problem Gambling Foundation.

This year, National has announced a “review” of Richmond’s Salisbury School, a facility that offers specialised education to girls with disabilities and high-needs.

Just as the sale of state housing has increased homelessness and over-crowding, the constant re-shuffling of services and funding cuts has predictable consequences.

National’s social policies are random and ad hoc.

There was money for a flag referendum; bailing out the Southland aluminium smelter; and a sheep farm in the middle of a Saudi desert to placate an irate Saudi businessman.

Meanwhile, Plunket goes begging with cap in hand.

What is wrong with this picture?

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-Frank Macskasy

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[address and phone number supplied]

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References

Dominion Post: Women’s Refuge cuts may lead to waiting lists

NZ Doctor: Christchurch’s 198 Youth Health Centre to close its doors as management fails to implement directives from CDHB

Radio NZ: Support agencies forced to cut frontline services

NZ Herald: Govt funding cuts reduce rape crisis support hours

Fairfax media: Lifeline faces closure as Government rejects pleas for funding

TVNZ News: Relationships Aotearoa hanging on at ‘awful’ 11th hour

Radio NZ: ‘Destabilising’ funding changes proposed

TVNZ News: Kiwi charities and NGOs face closure with impending funding cuts

Radio NZ: Community groups ‘fear speaking out’

NZ Herald: Funding win for Problem Gambling Foundation

Scoop media: Budget delivers funding cut to early childhood education

Radio NZ: Funds cut from parents-as-teachers scheme

Fairfax media: Marlborough Violence Intervention Project upset at funding cut to Parents As First Teachers programme

Fairfax media: Richmond’s Salisbury School may close in January

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CYF – The Hollowing Out of a State Agency

Park-up in Wellington – People speaking against the scourge of homelessness

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This blogpost was first published on The Daily Blog on 3 August 2016.

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