Women of Tasmania Need Your Support!

The Working Women’s Centre Tasmania (WWCT) will close on 17 August 2006 unless the State Government can be convinced to pick up the funding abandoned by the Howard Government. The Centre is primarily funded by the Federal Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).

New contracts have been offered by DEWR for that funding which would only allow for a limited range of services. WorkChoices info or nothing? DEWR offered the Centre ongoing funding but the contract stipulated that the funding would be for the provision of information on WorkChoices only.

WWCT determined not to accept that contract on the basis that it would stop their ability to deliver a range of important services to working women across Tasmania. The WWCT offered services including training for women in a range of areas such as workplace bullying, education, advocacy, case work and publications services.

Where will women be affected? The WWCT provides services across the whole of Tasmania. The Centre has had a marked increase in requests for assistance from women in regional Tasmania with case work increasing by over 90%. Women right across Tasmania will feel the effects of the Centre closing.

It's time to stand up on principle! Now, more than ever it's time for the State Government to look after the women of Tasmania.

ASU Tasmanian Branch Secretary, Sean Kelly has written to the Hon Steve Kons, Tasmanian Attorney General seeking his support in maintaining the WWCT. The ASU will also be seeking to meet with Tasmanian Premier Paul Lennon. The WWCT also needs your help. We ask that you visit the ASU national web site at www.asu.asn.au and send an email to the Tasmanian Government asking them to take up the funding for the Centre.