FOR PRESSJULY 23. 1976
INQUIRY INTO CO-ORDINATION IN VELFARE AND HEALTH
The Government, has established a sma. ll task force to examine
welfare services and community based programs in the health/
welfare/ community development area. The Task Force comprises:
Mr P. H. Bailey, Chairman in recent
times a member of the Royal Commission on
Australian Government Administration and
Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet)
Mr J. D. Rimes ( formerly Chairman of the N. S. W.
Health Commission, and office-holder in several
voluntary organisations)
Mr E. S. Lightly ( First Assistant Commissioner,
Commonwealth Public Service Board)
Appointment of the Task Force reflects the Government's concern
at the duplication and overlap of Commonwealth services and
programs in these fields. The Task Force will report on the
co-ordination of both policy development and the delivery of
programs. The Terms of Reference for the Task Force are attached.
The Task Force will welcome expressions of view from community
organisations and invites those interested to make contact with
the Secretary of the Task Force, Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet, Canberra, N
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STASK FORCE ON CO-ORDINTATION IN IVELTFARE AND IEALTTH
TERMS OF REFERENCE
1. Against the background of the Government's
Federalism policy and its concern at the proliferation
and overlap of Commonwealth services and programs in
the health, welfare and community development fields,
the Task Force shall examine and report on
the identification of particular services and
programs, currently being undertaken by the
Commonwealth, in the health, welfare and
community development fields, which could. be
better delivered by a State, local government
or voluntary agency and the administration of
which could be transferred to the States;
the possibilities ' or elimination of
individual programs and consolidation into
broader bused programs in a manner which
enables more efficient and economic delivery
whether by the Commolnwealth or the States,
and the establishment of appropriate
consultative arrangements with the States,
local government and voluntary agencies on
future policy planning, administration and
service delivery in the health, welfare and
community development fields;
the possibility of achieving better
co-ordination and avoiding overlap by more
specific definitions of programs, eligible
projects and eligible organisations, having
in mind that co-ordination could be effected
at the State and local government level
without Commonwealth involvement; and
the continuing machinery which should be
established to co-ordinate social policy
development at the Commonwealth level.
2. The Task Force shall
include in its consideration available analyses
and recommendations arising from other inquiries
including the Commission of Inquiry into Poverty,
the Royal Commission on Australian Government
Administration, the Administrative Review
Committee, and the Committee on Care of the Aged
and the Infirm; and
take account of views expressed by consumer
groups and. voluntary agencies, noting the
Government's support of the concept of maximum
realistic community participation in health/
welfare programs funded by the Commonwealth.
3. The Task Force should present an interim report by
31 October.