5 August 2008

Press release for immediate use

AN UNRECOGNISED MILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY

Voluntary organisations in the Northern Territory are lagging behind according to their own peak body.

Volunteering Territory claims there is hardly any recognition by the NT government of an industry which is valued at $183.5 million.

It is looking for respect and recognition for all the volunteers who give their time in the Northern Territory.

James Sadler is from Volunteering Territory Alice Springs,

"Volunteers are vital to the Northern Territory and I hope whatever the colour of the next administration, they will recognise the volunteers, voluntary organisations and their peak body with funding.

At present the NT government's provides no budget for Volunteering Territory and its record of supporting agencies that rely on volunteers is at best piecemeal and at worst insulting.

Volunteering Territory needs the government's support on issues such as the cost of training for volunteers, the rising cost of fuel for volunteers and the cost of police checks for volunteers.

It is especially difficult at this time for us to reach the volunteers and their organisations in the remote and regional areas of Northern Territory."

NOTES TO EDITORS

For further information please contact James Sadler, project officer, Alice Springs on 0449 129023.

Tanya Miller, project officer, Darwin is available on 08 8981 0027