The Coalition Government will provide $1.3 million in extra funding which will help ensure families living in drought affected areas in the North West can continue accessing family relationship support, Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, said today.
“The additional $1.3 million announced today will help organisations such as Interrelate Family Centres to continue delivering these relationship support services across drought affected communities until June 2015,” Mr Coulton said.
“These funds will ensure families can continue receiving counselling and support to help them to cope with stress brought on by the drought.
“Families living in the North West, particularly in the Walgett area, continue to suffer from the effects of prolonged drought. This suffering affects individuals, couples and families, and entire communities.
“The Coalition Government is committed to standing behind our farming families and communities in helping them get through this tough period.
“That is why we have delivered more than $400 million in measures for families and communities affected by drought, including an extra $3.5 million already allocated last November for extra community mental health support.
“This is an important boost to the package that the Australian Government is delivering for farmers and families who are doing it tough.
“Importantly, the organisations travel to our farming communities affected by the drought, ensuring that counselling and support services are coming to those in need. Not vice versa.
“These organisations can offer relationship counselling and support services where it is most convenient for farmers and their families be that in the family home, in the local community hall, or over the phone.
“This funding demonstrates the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to helping our hard working Australians coping with the effects of drought,” Mr Coulton said.
