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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-06-16 Daily Xml
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COMMUNITY GROUPS

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (16:08): I have spoken many times in this place about the many wonderful organisations that make up the rich tapestry of my electorate. From welfare and support groups like Meals on Wheels to recreational and social groups like the Norwood Scrabble Club or the Norwood Cycling Club, and many others, all of these groups have an important and invaluable role to play in the local community.

By offering support, guidance and a helping hand, they can effectively redress disadvantage, reduce social isolation and empower the individual to become an active participant in community affairs. At the very least, they can offer simple fun and enjoyment and a chance to hone individual talents and skills, not to mention a respite from increasingly hectic professional and personal lives.

I have always been keenly aware of the role that community groups play in our society, and it is for this reason that I have, over the years, striven to forge close ties with those in my electorate. I am proud to say that I think I have succeeded pretty well. When you take into account that I have 165 community groups, it is not hard to see why I never get to spend very much time at home.

I am pleased to say that the Rann government also takes local community groups seriously. Unfortunately, I do not think the general public realises just how much. For instance, there are over 70 grants that local community groups can apply for every year, ranging from the arts to community benefits to multicultural and sporting.

In my electorate alone, community groups have successfully received over $870,000 of state government funding since the last election—more than a quarter of a million dollars every year. That funding has enabled them to employ extra staff, build infrastructure or simply purchase equipment to help them in the administration of their organisation.

I have presented many cheques over the last decade and it is always wonderful to see all the staff, volunteers and members excitedly discussing how the funding will impact upon their organisation. However, funding has to be accessible and easy, and the Rann government has certainly played its part in ensuring that community groups are not burdened by excessive red tape and bureaucratic procedures.

In 2007, we raised from $200,000 to $500,000 the gross receipts threshold level at which an association is identified as a prescribed organisation. This ensured that many more organisations did not have extra financial requirements which impacted upon their operations and revenue. Last year we doubled the threshold for detailed accountability for spending grant money from $5,000 to $10,000; in other words, simplifying the process for over 80 per cent of small grants.

All these initiatives were consistent with our commitment in the State Strategic Plan to reduce red tape, and our commitment towards making local communities even better. I am delighted that community groups continue to flourish across our state, particularly so when we consider that most of them rely heavily upon volunteer support.

As last Monday (the Queen's Birthday weekend) marked Volunteers Day across South Australia, it is fitting to acknowledge the fantastic record that our state has in this area. South Australia has the highest volunteer participation rate in the country. In 1995, these rates were at 28 per cent and in 2006 they were at 51 per cent. The most recent study conducted last year showed that we are maintaining this terrific trend.

In practical terms, these figures represent more than 600,000 South Australians putting in an average of 1.4 million volunteer hours per week. To those interested in dollars and cents, this represents a contribution of $5 billion a year, or about 11.5 per cent of the state's gross domestic product.

Above all the statistics, all the reports, all the celebrations, is the face of the person who now feels connected and secure in their local community, and it is the heart of the volunteer who knows that their good work has made a difference. This is the very essence of local community and I am very blessed to have so many groups in my electorate who strive to do just that—make a difference.

I encourage every group to make sure they contact their local member of parliament for grant applications and letters of support. We are here to help you. Volunteers are the backbone of our community and we thank you.

Ms BREUER: Madam Deputy Speaker, I draw your attention to the state of the house.

A quorum having been formed:

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