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Wednesday, February 24, 1971
INCREASE IN SOCIAL WELFARE SUBVENTIONS
From $12.7 Million To $16.2 Million
***
The amount proposed for social welfare subventions in the next
financial year has been increased to $16.2 million from this year's $12.7
million
about 28 per cent.
Sir John Cowperthwaite, Financial Secretary, told the Legislative
Council today this increase had been budgetted for,even though voluntary
agencies were being relieved of some of their case-load by the Public
Assistance Scheme.
The estimates provided for a sum of $17 million for the first full
year of the expanded Public Assistance Scheme at present assistance levels.
The amount was "not a limiting figure,”
Additionally, the increased staff required in both the Social
Welfare Department and the Post Office involved annual expenditure of about
$4 million.
Sir John said once the Scheme was well underway, it would be
"timely to review the levels of assistance in the light of present circumstances."
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