ADCA Board Appointment of Administrator
 
Minister Fiona Nash, the Commonwealth Government’s Assistant Minister for Health has decided not to continue ADCA's funding. This includes core funding, along with all project funding, effective immediately.
 
Minister Nash's decision ignores previous undertakings and commitment provided to ADCA in April 2013 about ongoing funding for ADCA to 2015.
 
ADCA was advised it was part of the government’s budget deficit reduction strategy
 
As a consequence, the ADCA Board decided on November 27, 2013 to place ADCA into voluntary administration and to appoint an administrator.
 
The ADCA Board will continue to work with the administrator, emphasising the critical support which ADCA provides to the AOD sector and national community public health.
 
ADCA will endeavour to maintain minimal support services as we work through this process.
 
The administrator will report to the creditors and other stakeholders in the near future on ADCA's viability and next steps.
 
ADCA will keep the membership informed throughout this process.
 
The Administrator recognises the significant role played by ADCA in the sector and invites from members any well considered proposal which would see ADCA continue as a high profile peak body with a significant domestic and international reach.
  
ADCA contact persons for this matter are Jane Shelling, Meredythe Crane or David Templeman at ADCA, phone 02 6215 9800.
 
The Administrator, Mr Kazar of Kazar Slaven Chartered Accountants may be contacted on (02) 6215 8402.
 
Henry Kazar
Administrator
hkazar@kazarslaven.com.au 
 
For more information: Visit the ADCA website, contact Jane Shelling or David Templemen at ADCA on (02) 6215 9800, or Mr Kazar, the Administrator, on (02) 6215 8402
 
 

Ways to support ADCA
 
There are a number of things that you can do to support ADCA:
 

1. Sign the Petition
 
A petition has been launched requesting that the Australian Government reconsider its decision to stop funding ADCA. To show your support sign up at http://chn.ge/1k00opp.
 
 
2. Contact your local Federal Member of Parliament
 
In the ACT these contacts are:
 
Senator the Hon Kate Lundy 
Senator for the Australian Capital Territory
Post:
Unit A, Ground Floor, Law Society Building, 11 London Circuit
Canberra, ACT, 2601
Phone: (02) 6230 0411
Fax: (02) 6230 0413
Email: senator.lundy@aph.gov.au
Websites: Personal (1) website, personal (2) website, party website, Parliament of Australia website 

Senator Zed Seselja
Senator for the Australian Capital Territory
Post:
Shop B12, Canberra Centre, Bunda Street
Canberra, ACT, 2600
Phone: (02) 6247 6444
Fax: (02) 6257 4140
Email: senator.seselja@aph.gov.au
Websites: Personal website, party website, Parliament of Australia website
 
Ms Gai Brodtmann MP
Member for Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
Post:
205 Anketell St
Tuggeranong, ACT, 2900
Telephone: (02) 6293 1344
Fax: (02) 6293 1068
Email: gai.brodtmann.mp@aph.gov.au
Websites: Personal website, party website, Parliament of Australia website
 
The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP
Member for Fraser, Australian Capital Territory
Post:
Unit 8/1 Torrens St
Braddon, ACT, 2612
Telephone: (02) 6247 4396 or 6247 4037
Fax: (02) 6247 3457
Email: andrew.leigh.mp@aph.gov.au
Websites: Personal website, party website, Parliament of Australia website


3.      Contact the Ministers with Health portfolios:
 
Senator Fiona Nash
www.fionanash.com.au/ContactSenatorNash.aspx
Ring her Electoral office: (02) 6382 3400, Freecall: 1300 734 681  
Ring her Parliament House office:  (02) 6277 7440 
Send a fax: (02) 6382 3499 
Email: senator.nash@aph.gov.au
Post: 79 Main Street Young, NSW, 2594
 
The Hon Peter Dutton MP
www.peterdutton.com.au/Contact.aspx
Ring or fax his electoral office: P: (07) 3205 9977,  F:(07) 3205 5111
Ring or Fax his Parliamentary Office: P: (02) 6277 7220,  F: (02) 6273 4146
Email: peter.dutton.mp@aph.gov.au
Post: PO Box 2012, Strathpine QLD 4500
 

4.       Contact the media

 
5.       Share this information within your networks.
 


Public Statements
 

Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA)
26 November 2013
Funding for the Alcohol and other Drugs Council (ADCA), the national peak body representing organisations and workers in the sector, has been axed by the assistant Minister for Health, Senator Fiona Nash.
ADCA was notified yesterday of the decision to cut core funding for its day to day operations and individual projects; this prompted an emergency meeting of the ADCA Board last night where directors unanimously agreed to put the organisation into voluntary administration.
ADCA has been funded continuously as the national peak for nearly half a century. As the latest casualty in the new coalition government’s austerity drive, the impact of this decision will be felt across the community according to the organisation’s patron, Professor Ian Webster AO. “In 46 years, this is the only government that has decided it can do without ADCA’s advice,” Professor Webster said.
 
Read the full statement here.


Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (WANADA)
26 November 2013
The Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (WANADA) is deeply concerned at Federal Assistant Minister for Health Senator Fiona Nash’s decision to axe funding to the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA).
“The decision to axe ADCA’s funding is short-sighted and will cost Australia in the long-run,” said WANADA CEO and ADCA Board Member Jill Rundle. “This is devastating news. ADCA’s work benefits alcohol and other drug services throughout the nation and therefore benefits individuals, families and communities”
 
Read the full statement here.
 

Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT (ATODA)
27 November 2013
Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT has serious concerns regarding the decision to defund the Alcohol and other Drug Council of Australia (ADCA). ADCA has been an Australian community leader for half a century, and has helped our nation to be healthier, safer and make meaningful decisions that have saved lives and money. ADCA has provided non-partisan advice and support to all Australian governments since 1966, including under the leadership of Prime Minister Robert Menzies and Prime Minister John Howard. The alcohol and other drug sector provides essential services in Australia and our sector needs leadership from ADCA.

Read the letter here.


Ian Webster – Patron, Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia
27 November 2013
Australia has been served with dedication and selflessness by the Alcohol and other Drug Council of Australia (ADCA) from when it began 50 years ago.
You will be saddened and disappointed, as I was, to learn that after such a long period of leadership and working collaboratively - but honestly – with every government during this period, the current government has drawn a line in the sand. ADCA will no longer receive funding from the Government.
 
Read the full statement here.
 
 
Alex Wodak – President, Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation
27 November 2013
It is hard to find a family in Australia that does not have at least one member with a significant alcohol and drug problem. Alcohol and drug problems result in substantial costs to the community including deaths, disability, crime and financial costs.
Like most other countries, Australia struggles to prevent and provide adequate treatment for alcohol and drug problems. Non government organisations make an important contribution to the community's response.
 
Read the full statement here.
 
 
South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services (SANDAS)
27 November 2013
The South Australian Network of Drug and Alcohol Services are concerned over governments reducing the ability to deal with major health and social issues caused by widespread alcohol and drug misuse.
The sudden defunding of a body such as the Alcohol and other Drug Council of Australia (ADCA) creates a serious hole in the Federal Government’s capacity to set well informed policy for prevention, early intervention, and treatment especially for the individuals, families and communities in areas of high disadvantage.
 
Read the full statement here.
 
 
Victorian Alcohol & Drug Association (VAADA)
27 November 2013
The Victorian Alcohol and Drug Association (VAADA) is highly concerned that an organisation which has provided sound and evidence informed advice to governments of both persuasions for 46 years could be so rapidly defunded at such a time of community need.
 
Read the full statement here.
 
 
Family and Friends for Drug Law Reform (FFDLR)
27 November 2013
The Abbott Government, with no consultation or explanation has recklessly defunded the peak body, the Alcohol and Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA)
"Axing all funding for ADCA without consultation and in pursuit of a false claim of fixing the debt shows up the Federal Government as unprincipled and evidence free", said Brian McConnell, President of Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform. "This peak body provides the best evidence based advice and guidance to all drug and alcohol service providers throughout Australia. It has also provided that advice to past governments. This Government may not like unbiased reliable advice but the service providers have found it to be invaluable for the provision of their services."
 
Read the full statement here.
 
 
Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA)
29 November 2013
The Board of Management of the Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA), joined with hundreds of others across Australia today in voicing dismay at the Government’s decision, which was announced to the sector on Tuesday morning.
Dr Lynne Magor-Blatch, Executive Officer of the ATCA said today, “ADCA has for the past 50 years played a vital role, not only in the alcohol and other drugs sector, but across the community.  In addition to its role as peak body, ADCA provides services and support both nationally and internationally.”
 
Read the full statement here. 
 
 
National Alliance for Action on Alcohol (NAAA)
2 December 2013
The National Alliance for Action on Alcohol (NAAA) is urging the Federal Government to reverse its decision to defund the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA).
The NAAA has expressed its strong support for the continuation of ADCA, which is led by former Liberal MP Dr Mal Washer, especially the role it plays as a national voice of the country’s alcohol and drug treatment agencies and the important services it provides to communities throughout Australia.
 
Read the full statement here.
 
 
Public Health Association Australia (PHAA) 
2 December 2013
ADCA is an organisation with which PHAA works closely in seeking to prevent and address the significant harms to the Australian community stemming from the misuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.
For the better part of 50 years, ADCA has been supported by Governments of all persuasions to provide a voice for people working in the alcohol and other drugs sector - unsung heroes in our community - and to assist governments and non-government organisations in building and implementing effective, evidence-based programs and services designed to educate, prevent and address substance use problems in our community.
 
Read the full statement here.


Ms. Gai Brodtmann MP
3 December 2013 via update
The cuts being inflicted by those opposite seem to have no bounds. Contrary to pre-election promises that health and education would be spared, they are now prime targets. As of last week this government will no longer be funding the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia. ADCA has operated since 1966 as the peak body for organisations working to minimise the harm caused by drugs and alcohol, on an annual budget of just $1.6 million. (Excerpt from Hansard)
 
Read the full statement here.


Substance Abuse Librarians and Information Specialists (SALIS)  
3 December 2013
Recent news of the defunding of the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA), including the Library and Information Service, comes as a shock to members of the Substance Abuse Librarians and Information Specialists (SALIS), an international organization.  How is it that there continues to be a lack of regard for all of the work and expertise that goes into building collections and information dissemination tools to assist in the prevention of harm and provide objective evidence-based knowledge to those in need? 
 
Read the full statement here.


 
Media
 
Government Defunds NFP Drug Council
Pro Bono Australia, 26 November 2013
Funding for the Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA) – the national peak body representing organisations and workers in the alcohol and other drugs sector – has been axed by the Coalition Government, making it the latest casualty in the new government’s austerity drive.
For more information: See the article
 
Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia in administration after Tony Abbott cuts
The Sydney Morning Herald, 27 November 2013
Brisbane Times, 27 November 2013
WA Today, 27 November 2013
Canberra Times, 27 November 2013
NewCastle Herald, 27 November 2013
The Border Mail, 27 November 2013
The Courier, 27 November 2013
The Age, 27 November 2013
One of the nation’s oldest health organisations has been placed in voluntary administration after its funding was cut by the government.
For more information: See the SMH article, the Brisbane Times article, the WA Today article, the Canberra Times article, the Newcastle Herald article, the Border Mail article, the Courier article, the Age article
 
Alcohol and drugs body loses funding
9 News, 26 November 2013
The Australian, 26 November 2013
Courier Mail, 26 November 2013
The Telegraph, 26 November 2013
The Advertiser, 26 November 2013
news.com.au, 26 November 2013
Sky News, 26 November 2013
Herald Sun, 26 November 2013
The federal government has withdrawn funding for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA), blaming its review f the funding of several organisations on the former Labor government.
For more information: See the 9 News article, the Australian article, the Courier Mail article, the Daily Telegraph article, the Adelaide Now article, the news.com.au article, the Sky News article, the Herald Sun article
 
 Alcohol and Other Drugs Council enters administration 
ABC News, Radio National (RN) Breakfast, 27 November 2013
Patron Professor Ian Webster speaks with RN Breakfast’s Political Editor Alison Carabine
For more information: Listen to the radio interview
 
 Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia in voluntary administration after Coalition cuts funding 
ABC News, 27 November 2013
The Federal Government has withdrawn funding for the national peak body representing the alcohol and drug treatment sector, forcing the immediate closure of the 50-year-old organisation.
For more information: See the article
 
 Govt withdraws funding for peak alcohol, drug treatment bod y 
ABC News, The World Today, 27 November 2013
The Federal Government has withdrawn funding for the national peak body representing the alcohol and drug treatment sector, forcing the immediate closure of the 50-year-old organisation. Tanya Nolan reports.
For more information: See the article
 
Drug adviser funding cut
The West Australian, 27 November 2013
Former WA Liberal MP Mal Washer has attacked a Federal Government decision to scrap funding to the nation’s peak body in the alcohol and drugs sector, a move which sent the group into voluntary administration.
For more information: See the article
 
NFP Calls for Reverse on Drug Agency Abolition
Pro Bono Australia News, 28 November 2013
The Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies has called on the Coalition Government to reverse its decision to  axe the  Alcohol and other Drugs Council of Australia (ADCA).
For more information: See the article

Everything touched by hand of Labor ‘unclean’
The Age, 3 December 2013
The Abbott government is celebrating a rite of purification. Everything that has been touched by the hand of Labor is unclean and is being cleansed through fire. Observing this cult is paramount, even if it costs the government consistency, efficiency or its ideals.
For more information: See the article