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Taskmasters Workers Need State Support: HallThe Nationals Upper House leader Peter Hall has made an impassioned plea in Parliament in a bid to secure the future of adults with disabilities who have been working under programs auspiced by the embattled Taskmasters Inc. By Peter Hall - 4th May 2005 - Back to News The Latrobe Valley business has been declared insolvent and may close in as little as two weeks. Mr Hall has called on the State Government, which has provided funding for one of the Taskmasters’ programs, to provide information and reassurance to the families of the 15 State clients involved.
Mr Hall told Parliament last night (Tuesday 3 May) that Taskmasters Incorporated provided services for adults with disabilities, who undertook a range of employment opportunities such as lawn mowing, gardening, cleaning and trellis making.
As well as Federal funding of almost $300,000 to provide supported employment for 36 workers, Taskmasters also received state funding of more than $160,000 to operate businesses at Hazelwood and Moe for 15 state clients under the Futures for Young Adults program.
"I might add that it is an absolute delight to see this team of people with disabilities go out and enjoy working hard on the tasks assigned to them," Mr Hall said. "However, all of these have been put in some doubt because of the financial position of Taskmasters, which has built up liabilities in excess of $900 000 – a significant amount."
Mr Hall said he understood a liquidator had been appointed to manage the affairs of the company, but now the concern was for the future of the people working with Taskmasters, including the 15 state clients under the Futures for Young Adults program.
"I am very keen to ensure that there is continued support for those people with disabilities and the tasks that they undertake," Mr Hall said. "I have been contacted by several parents of young adults with disabilities, under the state government program, who have expressed their concern to me today.
"This service is likely to close within the next two weeks so the problem is very urgent."
Mr Hall gave the example of one young man who had recently secured a horticulture apprenticeship. "He is absolutely delighted with the work that he has been able to do under that apprenticeship.
"However, he is only able to do it with the support case worker provided through Taskmasters and the support that organisation gives him. If the organisation folds then it will put in jeopardy his future and the apprenticeship he is currently undertaking." Mr Hall pleaded for the Minister for Community Services to provide immediate feedback to the families of the 15 state clients involved and reassure them that the State would continue to support the Futures for Young Adults program.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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