MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, 9th November 2011
The Tasmanian Government needs to set some clear boundaries in its cost cutting regime, according to the Australian Christian Lobby.
“Everyone would agree that the belt needs tightening yet how this is achieved sends a strong message about where the government’s values lie,” ACL Tasmanian Director Mark Brown said.
“Arbitrarily requiring all government departments to achieve significant savings is not looking out for our most needy citizens. Surely that is what we expect from our government, a duty of care to protect those most vulnerable in our society, sentiments recently echoed by both the Children’s Commissioner Aileen Ashford and Professor David Adams, author of the Cost of Living Strategy,” Mr Brown said.
“Slashing $58 million from elective surgery over the next three years, demanding cuts from among others mental health, disability services, and child protection (which the Children’s commissioner suggests needs $40 million to put back in order) is failing to draw a line of conscience the Tasmanian community expects from its leaders.
“One cannot in all good conscience spend money on non-essentials while our most needy citizens are suffering due to funding short-falls. To do so would be heartless.
“Just like any budget there are the essentials and non essentials. The constituents look to the government to make these decisions on its behalf. There have been many suggesting alternative cost cutting strategies that are not as heavy on front line services but it appears there has been little consultation with the community prior to announcing these cost cutting measures.
“Getting priorities in order is no easy task and something not everyone is going to agree on. Yet most Tasmanians would agree there should be some, who for humanitarian reasons, are exempt,” Mr Brown said.
“The government should be applauded for taking measures to balance the budget, but the most vulnerable should be the last to feel the effects of it,” he said
Yes I have been one of those people who have been affected, and my life has been effected greatly from this short fall, and many more are in a worse situation. I agree it seems always to been the more vulnerable in society who end up paying the price for governments who miss manage funds, or cannot make up their budgets to take money from people who have no choice but to live for what ever is given to them, whether that be by proper duty of care or not. Either way they cannot complain because no one is hearing them. However, in the long run, it will be a price that the government will eventually pay for somewhere down the line. In God’s Word we are told to love once another, and look after the homeless, and widows, and fatherless. This is a command from God, and if this is not taken into account the economy of a country will eventually be effected just as it has done in the USA.