Milbi finances questioned | Rockhampton News | Local News in Rockhampton
Milbi finances questioned
Ted Malone.
TED Malone has launched a stinging attack against the Milbi indigenous detox centre in State Parliament, claiming the facility is financially troubled and he’s concerned it’s not being properly run.
Mr Malone, the Member for Mirani, says he can’t understand why the state and federal governments fund the Etna Creek centre.
He said taxpayers needed an assurance that Milbi Farm was fully accountable for its financial performance.
Speaking in the Queensland Parliament on Wednesday, Mr Malone questioned why Milbi Incorporated was being funded when it was potentially trading insolvent.
Mr Malone said a “please explain” letter sent from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General to Milbi management in December stated that an auditor’s report raised concern as to its ongoing viability.
He also said there were “many accusations of alcohol being supplied to (its) clients in what is supposed to be a dry facility”.
Milbi has secured funding to build a further 10-bed house on site, taking the maximum number of residents in care to 29.
However, nearby residents are appealing to the Planning and Environment Court. “Until the present facility can get its act together, there should be no further development at this site,” Mr Malone said.
“The taxpayers need to be assured that organisations like Milbi are fully accountable for any government funding they receive and that the existing facility is properly run and provides a caring and supportive environment for its clients.
“I hope both federal and state governments are closely monitoring this situation, as we have already seen the abolishment of the former ATSIC and a major overhaul of indigenous services.”
He said a growing number of residents were concerned.
He said the Attorney-General department’s letter stated: “As the auditor has advised that there is significant uncertainty in relation to whether the association can continue as a going concern, please advise how the association intends to extinguish its liabilities and what action the association will take to continue operating as a going concern.”
The Morning Bulletin sought comment from Minister for Community Services Karen Struthers but had not received a reply late last night.
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Posted by equarights from Rockhampton City, Queensland
12 March 2010 6:51 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
Is this really a surprise to anyone?
Yet again it seems another waste of taxpayers money.
As an outsider i find this facility a total waste of time and effort....drunks go out there to drt out for a bit but as soon as they are let out they hit the pi$$ again straight up!
Why bother? Spend my taxpayers money elsewhere or on something that's worthwhile and will benefit society thanks.
This system is definitely not working...as usual.
I don't have an answer for the problem but I do know it sure isn't working around rockhampton.
Perhaps kick out the drunks and use the facility for the thug teenagers who constantly gather at stockland and reeducate them.
Posted by jaydeee from Yeppoon, Queensland
12 March 2010 2:06 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
I am suprised - surprised that you as "an outsider" would have the audacity to make such statements without any knowledge or experience from being "an insider"!
Maybe people should volunteer their time at such community services to gain an understanding of the complexities we are dealing with before publicly demonstrating their ignorance.
I too would question the use of my taxpayers' money to create the public broadband infrastructure so as to support uninformed blogging but it is part of the price of democracy... democracy that allows Australian citizens to come together in any shape and form to assist and support the most vulnerable in the community.
Jump in and give a hand instead of jumping all over
Posted by equarights from Rockhampton City, Queensland
12 March 2010 5:29 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
Jaydeee..........When the place is open to all boozers then ill consider your offer...until then as far as im concerned this centre is like a reverse apartheid in south africa along with many other for "coloureds only" type establishments...
What a terrible shame!
Where do white drunk people go to, to dry out?
There's plenty of them about as well?
If I turned up pi$$ed as a parrot at this place will i be rejected because of my colour?
Nothing ticks me off more than going to a place and being asked if I'm an aboriginal or TI decent...............
Im just an Aussie sick to death of watching my tax money being wasted and being asked what my ancestory is.........
Im a bloody Australian like everyone else who was born here!
Where your blood history is, is meaningless and pointless unless theres a dollar or any additional benefit to be made it seems.
The sooner all are treated equal the better, cause currently it definitely isn't.
Thanx