Save Our Services rally
By Bronwyn Richards and Sharon Callahan
WOLLONGONG -- On July 19, the Save Our Services Warrawong Community Committee held a successful public rally against the withdrawal of Commonwealth government services from the Warrawong, Port Kembla and Berkeley areas. Four hundred people attended and heard local residents, and representatives of the local chamber of commerce and migrant communities speak.
All speakers denounced the Howard government's attacks on local community health and other services including the Port Kembla Hospital. Despite the presence of a number of Labor Party speakers, the Carr government also did not escape strong criticism.
Two months ago, the Commonwealth Service Delivery Agency (CSDA) announced the closure of the social security and CES offices. The Medicare office closure was announced as part of recent budget measures. The SOS Warrawong committee was formed by local community workers who were extremely concerned about the affect the closures would have on their community.
These offices in Warrawong service a very diverse population, 40% for whom speak English as a second language. The community includes more than 40 different language and cultural groups. Warrawong and Berkeley are suburbs which also have large public housing estates. This area has the highest unemployment rate in the Wollongong region and the greatest incidence of poverty.
SOS is extremely concerned that this area may not be serviced by an Employment Placement Enterprise after the tendering program is complete. An area with such extreme social disadvantage and poor employment prospects is unlikely to be targeted by a private EPE and the government has given no undertaking to site a service in Warrawong.
More than 11,500 people attend the offices slated for closure. These people shop and spend their money here. Many of them conduct their government business at the same time as they shop. Removing government services from the Warrawong shopping complex will result in people shopping in other locations.
SOS believes that the offices are being closed because leases are due for renewal. CSDA management simply saw an opportunity to make savings. No consideration has been given to the economic or social impact this would have on the community. For more information, contact the Illawarra Legal Centre on (042) 762 535.
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