Federal Government cancels Stronger Relationships trial

Federal Minister for Social Services Scott Morrison announced the cut, saying the program was under-subscribed, and that the funding will be reinvested into social services.

“During the first seven months of the trial, which began on 1 July last year, only around 10,000 couples had registered for the scheme and only one third of these had gone on to attend a relationship education or counselling service,” said Mr Morrison.

“This uptake is well below the 100,000 subsidies available under the trial.”

The Government will honour the $200 subsidy until 30 June 2015 for couples who registered prior to 9 February 2015.

“The Department of Social Services will continue to work closely with Stronger Relationships service providers and affected couples to manage the transition,” said Mr Morrison.