New Contracts Focus on the Most Disadvantaged Australians

Catholic Welfare Australia’s Executive Director, Frank Quinlan, today welcomed the news that CWA has secured the opportunity to provide more services to people with disabilities and to people who find it difficult to get a job.

Speaking at the release of the Government’s latest round of successful tenders for the Welfare to Work process, which includes Job Network, Disability Open Employment Service (DOES) and Personal Support Programme (PSP), Mr Quinlan said the successful tenders acknowledge CWA’s enviable track record in helping some of Australia’s most marginalised people to find meaningful employment.

“These new contracts acknowledge and recognise our expertise in working with some of the most disadvantaged people in the community,” Mr Quinlan said.

“We welcome this development in our partnership with the Government to help improve the quality of life for this vulnerable group of people.

“Centacare Brisbane secured one new Job Network contract on the Sunshine Coast, a pleasing result, given the keen competition for these contracts.

“We are one of the largest providers of PSP and have increased our business by 30 per cent through this latest round of tenders. Successful tenders include Centacare Wagga Wagga which is new to the network of 29 agencies which currently help disadvantaged people secure training and find meaningful work.

“Centacare won six of its seven tenders for the Disability Open Employment Tender. Successful agencies include Centacare Canberra and Goulburn, Sydney and Port Macquarie.

“The Government continues to show confidence in Catholic Welfare Australia as a leading provider of contracted human services to the community,” Mr Quinlan said.

Catholic Welfare Australia provides social services to over one million people in Australia each year.

30 March 2006

CONTACT: Judith Tokley 0408 824 306 / 02 6285 1366