Low Income Support Services

31 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (30 July 2015). In relation to the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion low income support program –

1. What is the current status for DCSI low income support program funding for the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement?

2. Have there been administrative issues with the 2013 tender and, if so, what were these issues?

3. For any administration/funding/tender issues identified, have any outstanding issues been addressed?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): I have been advised:

1. The Low Income Support Program is a component of the Family and Community Development Program and the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (ALRM), is not currently in receipt of any funding from this Program.

2. Due to an administrative oversight in the 2013 tender process, the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement did not receive direct correspondence from the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion regarding the release date of the tender. However, the tender was promoted in other ways. It was advertised on the Tenders SA website as per normal protocol, and the then Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion issued a media release about the tender on 5 July 2013.

The tender was also advertised on the Family and Community Development Program online portal. ALRM had access to this online portal where information and news about the Family and Community Development Program was posted.

A number of submissions in response to the tender were received from service providers who did not receive direct email communication from DCSI.

3. The Department for Communities and Social Inclusion conducts many procurement processes each year and constantly reviews its processes and procedures for improvement opportunities.