Andrew Leigh

LABOR WILL SUPPORT AUSTRALIANS IN FINANCIAL HARDSHIP IN THE ACT

A Shorten Labor Government will provide $40 million 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.

Over the next four years Labor will provide further funding to the emergency relief organisations that work in the Australian Capital Territory including:

• $30,000 to Communities@Work to deliver services across the ACT.
• $26,000 to the Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services of the ACT to deliver services across the ACT.
• $18,000 to the Young Women's Christian Association of Canberra to deliver services across the ACT.
• $35,000 to the Companion House Assisting Survivors of Torture and Trauma to deliver services across the ACT.

Labor will also provide further funding to larger emergency relief organisations over the next four years that work in the ACT as well as other parts of the country, including:

• $363,000 to Society of St. Vincent De Paul to deliver services across ACT and parts of NSW.
• $66,000 to Anglicare NSW South, NSW West and ACT to deliver services across ACT and parts of NSW.
• $3 million to the Salvation Army to deliver services across the ACT, NSW and Queensland.

Emergency relief organisations support vulnerable Australians who have nowhere else to turn by providing assistance like food hampers, transport vouchers and financial assistance.

The charities and not-for-profits that do this work are increasingly stretched and need more resources.

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 Shorten Labor Government will support Australians in financial hardship by:

• Doubling the number of financial counsellors across the country supporting people who are in a debt spiral.
• Expand low-cost alternatives to pay day loans for low-income Australians, providing safe and fair credit options when things get tough.
• Reversing the Morrison Government’s $5.5 million cut to emergency relief organisations across the country and give a much needed top up to the emergency relief sector.

Many Australians are falling through the cracks. Labor will make sure our charities have the resources they need to support our fellow Australians.

ENDS

Authorised by Noah Carroll ALP Canberra