AN out-of-court settlement to a six-year dispute between Queensland’s St Vincent de Paul Society and Ozcare has been called “a great day for both organisations and the Church”.
“It is wonderful that Ozcare has returned to its Vincentian roots,” St Vincent de Paul Society state chief executive officer Peter Maher said.
He also paid tribute to Ozcare’s “outstanding management” which had grown assets from an initial $43 million to more than $230 million in the past 15 years.
Mr Maher said Ozcare had originally been created in 1996 to operate the society’s government-funded services, but there was a dispute over the use of assets.
Under the terms of the settlement, Ozcare will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland.
Ozcare will maintain its separate and independent board with continuing responsibility for the services it currently provides.
The Society of St Vincent de Paul is now the sole member of Ozcare.
St Vincent de Paul Society state president Brian Moore said the society welcomed the agreement.
“The two organisations can now work more closely together in serving the people of Queensland while maintaining the society’s great Catholic tradition of serving those most disadvantaged in the community,” he said.
Ozcare board chairman Andrew Weil said Ozcare also welcomed the agreement.
“All members of the Ozcare board look forward to working with the state council of St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland on strengthening the ties between the two organisations,” he said.
“The new arrangements will not affect the day-to-day running of Ozcare. It is business as usual for the clients and staff of Ozcare.”
The operations of Ozcare are now a special work of the St Vincent de Paul Society.
Mr Moore said Ozcare would now provide regular reports to the society’s state council.
Under the terms of the settlement, the society will contribute directors to the Ozcare board, reaching a total of seven by the start of 2016.
“Several new potential board members have been identified and three of these will be mutually appointed by January 1, 2012, to join the Ozcare board,” he said.
“We look forward to working closely with Ozcare, and we welcome them whole-heartedly into our Vincentian family.”
Ozcare provides community, pastoral and health care to the frail, aged and disadvantaged people across Queensland.
