Dear Editor,
I refer to Paul Morris’ recent correspondence on the Territory election.
Mr Morris’ letter contains a number of incorrect assertions. He has sent similar correspondence to members of parliament, political candidates, and leaders of social services organisations over a long period of time.
Their publication to a wider audience requires a response clarifying the truth on the subjects he raises.
As the industry peak for the social and community services sector NTCOSS plays a critical role in promoting understanding and dialogue between the sector, which contributes more than 7.5 per cent of the NT’s gross product annually and employs over 11,150 people, and the government of the day.
Like any sectoral peak we engage with both public servants and elected offices from across the political spectrum. We do this frankly, without favour or apology, and with an assumption of mutual good faith. This consultation and collaboration on policy areas like homelessness, family violence and youth services enables better decisions on policy and service delivery.
I personally served as NT Anti-Discrimination Commissioner under a CLP government. Prior to that I spent a long time employed in the Territory under both CLP and Labor governments and had fruitful relationships with elected officials of both major parties.
It was under the previous CLP government that the practice of biannual round-tables co-chaired by the chief minister and NTCOSS commenced. These were ended when the ALP came to power and it is our hope that we can resume this practice under the current CLP government.
It is the role and is certainly expected that a peak body will engage in robust conversations and will have productive collaboration with public decision-makers.
This measured, reasonable, collaborative approach has seen the community sector serve the needs of Territorians for decades under a variety of governments and we are confident it will continue to enable us to play this vital role in Territory life under the current CLP government and all those that follow it.
Sally Sievers, chief executive officer, NTCOSS
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Question: Are all these Government funded/subsidized organizations delivering what they say they are delivering?
The evidence in Alice Springs is that is a clear “no”.
Total revamp, total realignment of all these funded services is clearly needed and a lot of well remunerated managers need to be dismissed.
My ten years of experience working in Commonwealth and NT Government child and family welfare services convinced me that NT COSS, like its parent, ACOSS, has been very much part of the problem. Essentially, it is made up of vacuous academics and social scientists who mistake leftist ideology for parenting knowledge. We need an end to this parasitism.