Commonwealth Alcohol and Drug Treatment Funding Extended
ATODA eBulletin - www.atoda.org.au
 



Commonwealth Alcohol and Drug Treatment Funding Extended


 
 

On 31 March 2015, the Australian Government announced that alcohol and drug organisations, which receive funding from the Department of Health through the Non-Government Treatment Grants Program (NGOTGP) and the Substance Misuse Service Delivery Grants Fund (SMSDGF), will have their funding extended until 30 June 2016.
 
Assistant Minister for Health, Senator the Hon. Fiona Nash, said approximately 160 organisations currently receiving funding through the health portfolio would be offered an extension to their funding arrangements for a further 12 months. This includes 12 months extension of funding to State and Territory Alcohol and Drug peak bodies.
 
Senator Nash said $87 million in Commonwealth funding had been allocated in 2015-16 for alcohol and drug treatment activities provided by non-government organisations.
 
The 12-month extension for alcohol and drug services will enable continuity of service delivery whilst the government further considers the National Review (undertaken by the Drug Policy Modelling Program, NDARC) and future service priorities. 
 
For more information: See the media release, or visit the Department of Health website.


Letter from the Department of Health NSW & ACT Office
 
On 1 April 2015, ATODA received a letter from the Department of Health NSW & ACT Office confirming a 12 month extension of funding for existing projects under the NGOTGP and/or SMSDGF at the current funding level (details to be negotiated).
 
For more information: See the letter, or contact Carrie Fowlie on carrie@atoda.org.au, or call (02) 6255 4070.


Status of the remaining Health Flexible Funds, including the Substance Misuse Prevention and Service Improvement Grants Fund (SMPISG) and the Indigenous specific SMSDGF
 
There are 15 other Health Flexible Funds. ATODA understands that the Communicable Disease Prevention and Service Improvement Grants Fund has now been granted a 12 month extension and that the Health System Capacity Development Fund has been granted a 6 month extension.
 
An announcement about the SMPISG has not yet been made. It funds, amongst other things, Australia's three National AOD Research Centres.
 
The funding status of the Indigenous specific SMSDGF is also not yet known.


Clarifying the status of the Commonwealth AOD funding
 
The Network of State and Territory AOD Peaks (of which ATODA is a member) have provided Minister Nash's Office with a set of questions to clarify the status of the funding announcement.
 
The questions are:
 

  • What is the total funding amount for the SMSDGF in 2015 - 2016? What is the total funding amount for the NGOTGP in 2015 - 2016? What is the state and territory breakdown for each funding stream in 2015 - 2016?
  • Has any funding been discontinued from the NGOTGP in 2015 - 2016? If so, how much? What are the reasons for any discontinuation of funding? Will these funds be reinvested in the sector?
  • Has any funding been discontinued from the SMSDGF in 2015 - 2016? If so, how much? What are the reasons for any discontinuation of funding? Will these funds be reinvested in the sector?
  • Will there be a commitment to applying consumer price index (CPI) to 2015 - 2016?
  • Will the current funding guidelines for the NGOTGP and SMSDGF apply to the extended funding or will there be a shift?
  • Will the objectives and the outcomes of the project plans be able to be negotiated between funded agencies and the Department of Health?
  • When will we be advised of the continuation of the full Equal Remuneration Order?
  • Were there any reductions in funding to the Indigenous specific SMSDGF that have been moved to Indigenous Advancement Strategy funding area?
  • What is the status of the Substance Misuse Prevention and Service Improvement Grants Fund (SMPSIG)?
  • Have the 3 National AOD Research Centres also had their funding extended by 12 months? If so, has the full amount of funding been extended? If not, when will a decision on future funding be announced?
  • Will a list of funded agencies through the NGOTGP and the SMSDGF be provided?
  • What is the status of the funding for the remaining Health Flexible Funds?When can the sector expect the release of the AOD sector review?
  • When will the process for longer term funding be announced?

 
For more information: Contact Carrie Fowlie on carrie@atoda.org.au, or call (02) 6255 4070.
 

Media
 
Budget cuts to Health Flexible Funds threaten vital services
ATODA, PHAA, NACCHO, CATSINaM, ADCA, Australian Health Care Reform Alliance, ACOSS, NADA, QNADA, APSAD, National Rural Health Alliance Inc, 30 March 2015
A coalition of eleven peak organisations from the health and community sectors is calling on the Australian Government to scrap plans to cut nearly $200 million in funding to key health initiatives from the end of the financial year. The foreshadowed cuts would reduce the capacity of non-government organisations and peak bodies to deliver services across the country and to provide advice and support for reform in health. For more information: See the media release 
 
Drug rehabilitation centres win last-minute reprieve from Federal Government cuts
ABC News, 31 March 2015
Drug and alcohol centres around the country have won a last-minute reprieve from Federal Government funding cuts after an outcry from health groups.
For more information: See the article

Health workers on front line in fight against drugs ‘shocked’ by $200m funding cut
ABC News, 30 March 2015
Health workers on the front line in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse say they are shocked by the Federal Government's decision to cut millions in health funding.
For more information: See the article


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Contact ATODA:

Phone: (02) 6255 4070
Fax: (02) 6255 4649
Email: info@atoda.org.au
Mail: PO Box 7187,
Watson ACT 2602
Visit: 350 Antill St. Watson

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The Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA) is the peak body representing the non-government and government alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) sector in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). ATODA seeks to promote health through the prevention and reduction of the harms associated with ATOD. 

Views expressed in the ACT ATOD Sector eBulletin do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT. Not all third-party events or information included in the eBulletin are endorsed by the ACT ATOD Sector or the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT. No responsibility is accepted by the Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT or the editor for the accuracy of information contained in the eBulletin or the consequences of any person relying upon such information. To contact us please email ebulletin@atoda.org.au or call (02) 6255 4070.