Maranguka success applauded by Minister

Families & Community Services Minister Paul Fletcher (right) in Bourke last week with Police Superintendent Greg Moore and Member for Parkes Mark Coulton Photo: TWH

The success of Bourke’s Maranguka Justice Reinvestment program has attracted attention across all levels of government.

And last week, the Federal Minister for Families and Community Services Paul Fletcher visited Bourke to see firsthand how the project works.

Minister Fletcher will also be considering Bourke as a recipient of a share in $30 million funding for ‘place-based’ social initiatives.

He toured Bourke with local Member for Parkes Mark Coulton.

Mr Fletcher said the results Maranguka was achieving was something he wanted to see for himself.

“There’s a lot of interest in social policy in what’s called ‘place-based’ policy. It’s common-sense to have a focus in a particular location and to get government agencies, not-for-profit organisations and agencies like health, police, housing and community services talking to each other.

“The great work being done in Bourke has been going on for a few years and there is very strong community leadership here. The Commonwealth government is very interested in learning about it.

Read more in the printed edition of the Western Herald.