Answers to Questions

Spark Resource Centre

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (5 July 2016).

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change): The Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion has provided the following advice:

As the honourable member points out, an incident of alleged fraud has occurred within the SPARK Resource Centre and the matter is currently subject to a police investigation. In light of this, it would not be appropriate for the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion (DCSI) to provide further funding to this organisation until the outcome of the police investigation or potential subsequent legal proceedings is complete.

In the short term, DCSI has worked with SPARK to ensure existing clients are referred to alternative support services and offer support through the Sustainable Community Organisations through the Partnership and Engagement (SCOPE) Program that DCSI administers. This program assists organisations to increase their resilience and sustainability through a range of approaches.

Further, DCSI has worked with SPARK and Centacare to allow the services provided by SPARK to continue to be provided by Centacare.