The very future of Family Relationship Centres hinges on their ability to raise revenue from clients according to The Nationals Senator for New South Wales.

Senator Williams said the Government has slashed $3 million annually from Family Relationship Centres at a time when more and more people are using their family dispute resolution processes.

He said Centacare New England North West which is based in Tamworth and has offices in Armidale, Moree, Narrabri and Inverell face a $20,000 cut from January next year, and approximately $50,000 for each of the following two financial years.

Senator Williams said the Government is introducing means testing for the Family Relationship Centres whereby the first hour remains free, but for those on incomes higher than $50,000 they will be asked to pay $30 an hour for the second and third hours.

“This is penny pinching to the extreme. The government is telling people it can offer support in difficult times, but you are going to have to pay for it.

During questioning in Senate estimates a Departmental official admitted the future of the Centres is dependent on their ability to raise revenue by charging the $30 an hour.

This places the Tamworth-based service in a dilemma. Last financial year it had around 2,000 clients and that number is expected to increase this financial year.

The majority of these are on less than $50,000 and therefore do not have to pay, leaving a small pool of clients from which to get the fee-for-service.

If the Department is true to its word, it is difficult to see how Family Relationship Centres can maintain current service and staff levels, and that may result in clients being turned away.

It is a disgrace from a Government that has wasted billions of dollars on ill-disciplined programs”, Senator Williams said.