Community Resource Centres are in a state of confusion today after being informed of drastic changes to their proposed contracts by the Labor government.
A number of CRCs, which deliver important services in towns throughout Western Australia, learnt last night that their new contracts will be shorter than expected. The new Government will also investigate changing the services CRC’s deliver and closing some centres.
This comes as part of Labor’s internal review of all Royalties for Regions projects, creating doubt about the future of some Community Resource Centres.
Member for Roe Peter Rundle MLA said the changes meant more uncertainty for regional CRCs.
“The Labor Government is simply using the tender process as an opportunity to make cuts from services in regional WA. The last thing regional towns with poor internet service or limited access to government departments need is CRCs to close their doors,” Mr Rundle said.
Mr Rundle said the news of a review into the functions and locations of the CRCs was also causing alarm.
“This just generates further anxiety as communities wait to see the fate of their services,” Mr Rundle said.
Member for the Agricultural Region Hon Colin de Grussa MLC said there was now uncertainty if CRC’s would even exist in 18 months’ time.
Mr de Grussa said the decision was typical of the first few months of the Labor Government, which had fallen well short of community expectation on consultation.
“The lack of community consultation has been astounding,” Mr de Grussa said.
“It seems the Minister for Regional Development sits in her West Perth office issuing last-minute directives, while ignoring the work done by regional communities to secure funding and the significant impact of taking it away.
“I am calling on the Minister to provide clarity and certainty around all Royalties for Regions projects immediately.”
Both Mr Rundle and Mr de Grussa said The Nationals would continue to hold the government to account on all Royalties for Regions projects, both inside and outside of Parliament, as they look to cut the program to fund Metronet and other Labor commitments in Perth.
