VOLUNTEERING

218 The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (25 March 2009). Can the Minister for Correctional Services advise what has been the change in the number of South Australians volunteering over the last 10 years?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy): The Minister for Volunteers has advised:

In 2000, the level of volunteering in South Australia was assessed as approximately 38 per cent.

In 2006, the assessment was that the formal volunteer participation rate in South Australia was 51 per cent, representing approximately 610,000 South Australians providing an estimated 1.4 million volunteer hours per week.

In 2008, results showed that there had been a slight decline in numbers with approximately 49 per cent of people formally volunteering.

The surveys conducted in 2006 and 2008 also captured the level of informal volunteering in our community. When we consider this participation rate alongside formal participation it shows that volunteering in South Australia is extremely healthy, reflecting a total participation of 75 per cent in 2006 and 73 per cent in 2008.

The South Australian Government can be justifiably proud of the work being undertaken to encourage, support and recognise the volunteering effort in our communities.