The Keneally Government will invest $580,000 through the State Budget to improve access to Fair Trading services for consumers and traders in the St George and Sutherland Shire.

Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge said the funding was part of a total allocation of $195.7 million for Fair Trading in 2010-11.

“The NSW Government is working hard to deliver Fair Trading services to the St George and Sutherland Shire,” she said.

“We support St George and Sutherland Shire residents through community organisations, industry grants and outreach services, including financial counselling, no interest loans and tenancy and advocacy advice.

“Consumers and traders can also access services through the Fair Trading Centre in Hurstville which employs eight staff.

“Fair Trading has an excellent reputation for supporting, educating and helping those in need.”

The Keneally Government is funding a range of services in the St George and Sutherland Shire in 2010-11, including:

• Wesley Creditline Financial Counselling Service (Sutherland/Hurstville Outreach Service)
   – $87,869
• Southern Sydney Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service – $417,368
• Moneycare Financial Counselling Service (Hurstville) – $41,435 and
• Northern Illawarra No Interest Loans Scheme – $32,856.

Last year, 2,345 St George and Sutherland Shire residents received assistance from these vital services.

“Demand for these services is expected to increase in 2010 following the introduction of the Northern Illawarra No Interest Loans Scheme in Sutherland in February this year.”

Salvation Army Moneycare Coordinator, Tony Devlin welcomed the State Budget.

“This funding makes a real difference and will help us assist those in financial crisis,” he said.

”Clients come to us with a range of issues from overdue electricity bills to failed small business.

“We are still seeing a lot of people who have lost their jobs because of the global financial crisis and are now struggling on lower incomes and trying to pay off large debts.”

The Hurstville Fair Trading Centre is open Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm.

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