2013-14 Tasmanian Government Budget Submission Lifeline Tasmania connecting people with care November 2012 Authorised by Maxine Griffiths, CEO Level 5, 31 Cambridge Rd Bellerive TAS 7004 (03) 6224 3450 info.south@lifelinetasmania.org.au www.lifeline.org.au/tasmania
About Lifeline Tasmania Lifeline is Tasmania s leading suicide prevention, intervention and postvention provider. Lifeline has provided suicide prevention and support services to Tasmanians since 1973, almost 40 years. This year Lifeline Hobart and Lifeline NorthWest merged to create Lifeline Tasmania (a member of Lifeline Australia). This merger strengthened its operations and creates opportunities for it to reach even more Tasmanians in need of help. Lifeline Tasmania s vision is for a community where everyone values life and meets its challenges with strength and optimism. The organisation prevents suicide where possible and responds with care and compassion to the needs of all people who may be facing a personal problem or crisis. It does this through a wide range of services including: crisis support services advocacy face-to-face counselling community liaison social support information befriending training visiting crisis intervention community education other related means of support referral Lifeline Tasmania is a not-for profit community organisation. It currently has around 500 volunteers and employs almost 50 staff. Volunteers dedicate up to ten hours a week, and some have volunteered since Lifeline Hobart s beginnings in 1972. A key revenue source for the organisation, in addition to Australian and Tasmanian governments program funding, is the Lifeline Shops, of which there are nine retail outlets. Budget Submission Proposal Lifeline Tasmania proposes that the Tasmanian Government re-develop a partnership model with the non-government sector in providing Victims of Crime Support Services. Background Lifeline provided Tasmania s non-government support services to victims of crime from 1993 to 2009. Services included: - a 24 hour support line; - face to face counselling, conducted in Lifeline s office, in people s homes or even in hospital; - providing information to victims about the criminal justice system and their rights; - with the victims permission, accessing information for victims about the progress of cases or additional services that could help them. Page 1
Lifeline worked hard to minimise the daily struggles for victims while they were dealing with the emotional aftermath of the crime. Lifeline also collaborated with lawyers to help victims claim compensation. Lifeline s Victims of Crime Unit provided a critical service in the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre in 1996. Initially Lifeline s role was as a hotline for calls from victim s families from inter-state. Lifeline then received funding to have a dedicated hotline for 12 months after the incident and was able to support this with the existing telephone counselling service. One of Lifeline s roles was to take the victim impact statements for use in the sentencing. Lifeline took 75 victim impact statements from people who had been affected by the crime. In 2008-09 funding for the contract to Lifeline was $252,628 plus a subsidy of $84,241 through Victims Of Crime Support Services. In 2009 the Government advised its Department of Justice could no longer acquire the extra $84,241 in subsidy for Lifeline, and the service had to be provided within the initial $252,628. It is unclear at present how or why the Department of Justice could no longer obtain the subsidy of $84,241, or where exactly that subsidy had initially been obtained from. Lifeline s Victims of Crime Support Service ceased in September 2009 when the Tasmanian Government transferred the remaining $252,628 in funding to the Department of Justice to deliver through its Victims Support Services Unit. The Government argued that its streamlining of services to victims of crime would provide easier access to consumers, as it would provide a one-stop shop and remove any confusion over which services the Government provided as compared to Lifeline. Through the 2010 Estimates Hearings the Government advised it would conduct a review of its operation of this program after one year. Victims of Crimes Support Services around Australia There are a variety of models operating across Australia for victims of crime support services, ranging from a high level of service provided by non-government sector, to partnerships between government and non-government sector, to total government provision. WA and Tasmania appear to be the only jurisdictions where services are provided purely by Government. Lifeline Tasmania believes the model most appropriate for Tasmania requires a partnership between the government and non-government sectors. It is important that a variety of services are provided and they are well co-ordinated to ensure victims do not fall through the gaps. In the past NSW was considered the best-practice model in Australia, but Victoria has undergone significant restructure over the last four years and is much progressed. It has moved from a medical model to one which focuses on the victim and front end practical support. The Victorian Government, through its Victims Support Agency, operates a Victims of Crime Helpline (central intake service) and Victims Register. It oversees the victim s path, which on average takes 3 years. It outsources the Victims Assistance and Counselling Program to nine non-government agencies across Victoria, which are contracted to provide case Page 2
management, practical assistance and counselling to victims during their journey. Not only can those non-government organisations provide a high level of practical assistance, but they can also be beneficial in providing symbolic independence when a victim feels they are struggling with feelings of justice and government or court related processes. The Victorian Government now have a Practice Manual, which appears to be a first worldwide. In 2008 it service providers were underperforming, but they are now achieving 25% above their Key Performance Indicators. The Victims Support Agency provides training to the nine external agencies, to ensure their skills and expertise remains relevant and meets necessary case management standards. Based on latest information available, models used in other states and territories are: Australian Capital Territory Northern Territory Communities@Work, a non-government organisation, is funded by the ACT Government Department of Justice and Community Safety. Victims of Crime NT Inc, a non-government organisation, is funded by the NT Government. Queensland A number of community organisations are funded by either the Department of Families or Queensland Health. South Australia Victim Support Service Incorporated (VSS), a non-government organisation, is funded by the South Australian Government. Western Australia New South Wales Services are provided by the WA Government. Much of the services are provided by NSW Government, however there are number of smaller community organisations funded by State Government and a Victims of Crime Grant Program. There is also Victim Support Australasia (VSA), the peak body representing the interests of crime victims and of the victim of crime service sector. It has a set of national service standards which agencies and services should meet. Proposal for Tasmania Lifeline Tasmania would like to see the Tasmanian people able to access best practice victims of crime support services. It is Lifeline Tasmania s observation that the Victorian Government provides that, and the Tasmanian Government could learn from its experience and adapt its model to the Tasmanian context, in partnership with the non-government sector. It is vital that victims can access a counselling service which appears to be independent of government and judicial processes, or there is risk of victims opting out of government provided counselling services when struggling with feelings of justice. Page 3
Lifeline Tasmania believes it has the skills, experience and expertise to deliver quality victims of crime support services, but also recognises there are other non-government organisations which could also provide great benefit to victims, such as those who have experienced sexual assault. Lifeline Tasmania would like to discuss what partnerships would best meet the needs of the Tasmanian people through an integrated model of service. Budget Recommendation Lifeline Tasmania recommends that the Tasmanian Government: 1. Publicly provide a copy of the 12 month review of its Victims of Crime Support Services. 2. Commit to transitioning to a best practice model of victims of crime support services that involves a partnership with the non-government sector. 3. Investigate the Victorian Government model of victims of crime support services. 4. Provide at least $300,000 per annum to the non-government sector to provide victims of crime support services. Page 4