WA LIBERALS TO EXPAND FINANCIAL COUNSELLING SERVICES

January 31, 2025 9:00 AM
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Libby Mettam
WA Liberal Leader
Donna Faragher
Shadow Minister for Community Services; Early Childhood Education; Youth; Seniors and Ageing

• The Liberals will provide a 25 per cent uplift in funding to 17 organisations contracted by the Department of Communities to provide financial counselling services.

• Boost funding by $2.55 million per annum for two years to ensure these service providers can better meet demand.

• Provide Western Australians with the support they need to make their money stretch further.

A Mettam Liberal Government will provide a 25 per cent uplift – $2.55 million per annum – in funding for financial counselling services for two years, easing the financial burden felt by Western Australian families, and providing much-needed advice to those under significant hardship.

Under this increased funding arrangement, community service organisations that have service agreements with the Department of Communities, including Anglicare and Uniting WA, can expand their capacity, allowing them to meet the current growth in demand.

“With the rising cost of living, more people are seeking out financial counselling services to try and stay afloat,” said Libby Mettam, WA Liberal Leader.

“Every day, Western Australian families make significant sacrifices between food, rent, bills, and personal care, with many uncertain they’ll ever see long-term financial security.

“At a time when financial management and support can often be the difference between stability and ongoing crisis, we cannot have West Australians stuck on waitlists due to inadequate funding.  

“WA Labor has failed to address the cost of living crisis bearing down on hardworking West Australians – this funding is a significant step to rectifying their mismanagement.”  

The Financial Wellbeing Collective (FWC) received 36,000 calls to their emergency relief access service in the 2023-24 financial year with its financial counselling service supporting 5,700 people across Perth with a total debt value of $593 million.

“While financial counselling can help those struggling to pay bills, pay down debt, or balance their budget, it extends further into food relief, crisis support, and small-scale grants,” Ms Mettam said.

“The demand for these services continues to exceed the capacity they can meet, yet WA Labor has only provided a small increase after calls for more support.

“The Liberals want to see West Australians experiencing the same financial prosperity experienced by the Cook Labor Government, not despite it,” she said.

“This funding will ensure more Western Australians can get the assistance they need when they need it most.”

Shadow Minister for Community Services Donna Faragher said the $5.1 million was a much-needed increase to help these organisations cope with the ever-increasing demand for their services.  

“The Financial Wellbeing Collective reported that in the 2023-24 financial year, 84 per cent of new clients were seeking financial counselling services,” Mrs Faragher said.

“These organisations work tirelessly to ensure as many West Australians as possible can receive help and support.

“With day-to-day expenses increasing across the state, and more middle-income households seeking out financial services, this funding uplift will allow these community service organisations to provide more support.

“This is a practical commitment to support individuals and families during a cost-of-living crisis.

“Financial management and counselling services cannot keep providing much-needed support to Western Australians without first receiving support through funding – we’re dedicated to making sure that happens.”

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