Andrew Leigh

ANDREW LEIGH

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR TREASURY

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR CHARITIES

MEMBER FOR FENNER

PATRICK GORMAN MP 

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA 

MEMBER FOR PERTH

AMANDA HUNT

LABOR CANDIDATE FOR CANNING

LABOR WILL WORK WITH CHARITIES, NOT AGAINST THEM

Charities and not-for-profits in Perth have highlighted the stress they face during a roundtable to discuss how an Albanese Labor Government would help repair the sector.

Australia’s charities are under huge pressure. Through bushfires and a recession, floods and a pandemic, Scott Morrison has expected charities to step up whenever his Government has failed – and they’re expected to do that with fewer volunteers and less money.

Charities and not-for-profits need more support from the Federal Government, and recognition that they do so much to help struggling Australians and hold the social fabric together.

The local groups who joined yesterday’s conversation included Anglicare, OzHarvest, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Shelter, Western Australian Council of Social Service, Community Employers WA, Ruah Community Services, AsthmaWA and Telethon 7.

They raised concerns over the ‘unprecedented stress and challenge, and demand’ for their sector’s services that they had seen over recent years. Increasing inequality fuelled in part by the pandemic and numerous natural disasters has further accelerated issues for people at risk, while the lack of support for the sector prompted concerns for retaining staff.

If elected, Labor will listen to and protect the voices of charities and not-for-profits. While Scott Morrison has sought to silence charities, Labor knows that charities and not-for-profits should be treated as respected partners of government.

Many Australians are still reeling from the double whammy of the recession and a pandemic. The charities supporting them deserve support and respect, not a government that has tried to restrain them at every turn.

A Labor government would be the first good political news most charities have heard in eight years.

ENDS

Authorised by Paul Erickson, ALP, Canberra.