ANDREW Barr has announced efforts to make life easier for government funded community groups.

“From 1 July 2014 the Community Services Directorate (CSD) will simplify relationship arrangements for organisations that have funding agreements with the Government by instituting a single point of contact for each organisation, regardless of the number of agreements,” Andrew said.

“Additionally, organisations funded by CSD with simple, low risk, funding requirements will progressively move to simpler grants that better reflect the relationship with Government, saving up to $150,000 annually across the sector in reduced time and effort.

“Other red-tape reduction reforms called for by the sector and delivered by Government include increasing the term of funding agreements from three, to up to five years to reduce procurement costs and increase sector funding confidence; and we’re working with sector representatives to refresh contractual instruments to strip out unnecessary requirements and provide for more flexible payment arrangements.

“Thirty sector organisations have received Governance and Financial Management support packages under this program, with another 30 still to be rolled out in 2014. Further support to develop procurement expertise and strengthen collaboration and strategic alliances across the sector will commence in August 2014 continue into 2015,” Andrew concluded.