Fiona O'Malley (Progressive Democrats)

As the Senator mentioned, the organisation operates slightly under the radar. Part of the reason is that, as the Minister mentioned, financial difficulty is something which people often do not want to face to up and something of an embarrassment or a slight source of shame. This is why people get into debt. However, this is one of the reasons the service is so good.

Consider the testimony of people on the service's website. It outlines how they interacted with the service and the confidence and empathy that customers and clients received. Such people were confident that the service was there to help and believed the service's appeal not to be afraid and to be honest about the situation. It is similar to the story of an alcoholic. The first step on the road to recovery is coming through the door and acknowledging there is a problem. The next step is learning to plan and organise refinancing, which is where the service does tremendous work.

I imagine the service prompts many people to look at its website before going through the door. If a person needs to then come through the door of one of the service centres, the response is very helpful. Consider the model letters used to write to financial institutions. This suggests the service is used more than the figures indicate on the books which state the numbers coming through the door and clients with appointments and so on. This is also part of the tremendous service. When one is in a difficult situation it is possible to help oneself in the quiet of one's home at the computer or in a library or wherever. This is where the recovery process can start and one can come to terms with indebtedness. It is a sterling service that is provided.

I listened to the contributions from Senators earlier, some of whom said that the MABS should be extended. I would not necessarily agree with that. The reason the service is so good is because the staff are focused on what they need to do. They follow a clear remit and if the service is extended and complicated, it might not be as good as it is now.

Previous contributors also made reference to money lending and money lending practices. That is a horrific situation. People who have no access to credit for whatever reasons find that these money lenders, who charge extortionate rates, are their only source of income to get them over a particular event in the family's calendar. That is shocking. Work must be done on that aspect. Somebody who is in a vulnerable situation might think the only place they can go is to a money lender because they are in their community. They know where the money can be got, even if they do not think about how they will be able to afford to repay it. People who are considering going to a money lender for money should consider discussing their financial problem with the MABS. We must consider how we can increase the level of awareness among those in vulnerable communities, particularly as it is becoming much more difficult for people in the current economic climate. Undoubtedly, the services of MABS will be needed now more than ever because there are people who never saw themselves falling victim to money problems. This is an opportune time for us to embark on some kind of advertising campaign, as Senator Bradford mentioned, to make people aware of the excellent service being provided by MABS. Long may it continue.