VOLUNTEERS

In reply to Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (2 July 2013).

The Hon. A. PICCOLO (Light—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Disabilities, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): I have been advised:

Volunteers, as with paid staff, need to have appropriate skills to fulfil their responsibilities. Compliance with necessary insurance, health and safety and appropriate police or working with children checks makes sure that volunteering activities are safe and supported. Every effort is being made to minimise any red tape that may be associated with compliance.

The redesigned Office for Volunteers website, which is regularly updated with new information, is an ideal platform for connecting the volunteer community to information about issues that impact on volunteering, thereby providing clarity for the sector and helping to reduce red tape.

Many organisations, as part of their risk management strategy, have adopted a policy of undertaking a national police clearance for all volunteers, regardless of whether they are required to by law. To assist in removing the financial burden that police checks might place on volunteers and their organisations, the state government provides eligible organisations with free police checks for volunteers who work with vulnerable people.

The cost of insurance and the time and effort required in order to obtain insurance continues to impact on the operating resources of community groups. Information on risk management, buying insurance and contact details for insurance brokers has been published as fact sheets by the Office for Volunteers. The fact sheets and links to other relevant websites are readily available on the Office for Volunteers website.

The recent introduction of the new Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) clarifies definitions applying to volunteer-based associations and to volunteers and their obligations. In South Australia, SafeWork SA is assisting volunteer-based organisations understand their obligations by publishing fact sheets, frequently asked questions and guidance material on the SafeWork SA website.

Under the Children's Protection Act 1993 government and non-government organisations that provide health, welfare, education, sporting or recreational, religious or spiritual, childcare or residential services, are required to develop a child safe policy, code of conduct and standards.

While there is certainly some regulatory impact, the government has put in place a range of measures to assist organisations to easily understand and meet the requirements under this legislation. Information, including information sheets providing an overview of the legislation and how they may affect organisations, is available from the Department of Education and Child Development website.

The state government continues to communicate with our volunteer community to identify potential 'red tape' barriers to their activities and commits to working together to find solutions.