VCOSS

Prisons & police spending the wrong priorities in today’s “disappointing” budget

Download a copy of the release

��Today’s disappointing budget continues the Victorian Government’s approach to letting problems reach crisis point, with a massive injection into policing and prisons, while services that would make the community stronger were less of a priority,’ says Chief Executive of VCOSS Cath Smith.

��While VCOSS welcomed additional resources in family services and early childhood intervention services for children with disabilities, youth mental health programs, an increase in the water concession, dental health services and chronic disease support programs, we were disappointed at poor growth over early interventions across social policy programs.’

��Key gaps included early intervention supports for young people, support for flexible education options, housing, lack of capacity investment for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, minimal investment in primary health, and support for education costs.’

VCOSS real effective change of spending analysis of Budget output areas follows.

For more information, or to arrange an interview with Cath Smith, CEO
contact Ian Woolverton – M: 0415 424 367

VCOSS analysis of real spending increases, adjusted for inflation and population growth is:

Output area	Real effective increase
Mental health	-2.86%
Acute Health Services	2.99%
Aged and home care	2.21%
Primary and dental health	2.15%
Public health	-0.63%
Drug Services	-2.44%
Disability services	0.77%
Child protection & family services	4.37%
Youth justice and youth services	2.63%
Concessions	-5.97%
Early Childhood Services	-0.02%
Education	-1.50%
Justice	2.79%

For more information, or to arrange an interview
contact John Kelly – M: 0425 701 080

Follow the conversation at www.twitter.com/vcoss

VCOSS
Level 8, 128 Exhibition Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
T: 03 9654 5050 F: 03 9654 5749 W: vcoss@vcoss.org.au E: vcoss@vcoss.org.au