WITH SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER, SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES
A Labor Government will provide emergency relief funding of $166,000 to Swansea Community Cottage as part of a $40 million commitment over four years to emergency relief organisations across the country.
The funding will reverse Liberal cuts to emergency relief organisations and provide a much needed funding top up to the sector.
Emergency relief organisations support vulnerable Australians who have nowhere else to turn by providing assistance such as food hampers, transport vouchers and financial assistance.
The charities and not-for-profits that do this work are increasingly stretched and need more resources.
“Swansea Community Cottage has been helping people in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle with emergency relief for 30 years, but last year they were advised their funding would not continue,” Mr Conroy said.
“They helped 500 people last year with emergency relief, including low-income earners, single parents, people with a disability, Indigenous people, young people and vulnerable people. As well as providing financial relief, food, clothing and bedding, staff refer people to housing services, playgroups, out-of-school care and support groups such as AA, and help with Centrelink and TAFE.”
The Liberal Government is stopping the funding for many emergency relief services at the end of the year. This will see community organisations being forced to close their doors or slash the services they offer.
Labor will reverse these cuts and also deliver a much needed funding boost to the sector.
A Labor Government will support Australians in financial hardship by:
Many Australians are falling through the cracks. Labor will make sure our charities have the resources they need to support our fellow Australians.