$8.5 million will be distributed among 196 Commonwealth-funded Emergency Relief providers across the country, helping them meet the increased demand for their services as more families are feel the weight of cost-of-living pressures.
In Blair, this includes local providers Leichhardt-One Mile Community Centre, Riverview Neighbourhood House and Ipswich Assist in Ipswich, as well as national organisations Vinnies, the Salvos and Settlement Services International.
In the Upper Somerset and Moreton Bay regions, Bribie Island Neighbourhood Centre and Caboolture Community Care also received top-up funding.
This funding represents a 15% boost in yearly base funding for each Commonwealth-funded Emergency Relief provider, making sure that families in financial stress can access support including food parcels.
This funding will help Australians in financial distress as a result of the global fuel crisis access supports for a range of issues, like being unable to pay their bills or being at risk of falling behind in their rent or mortgage.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the funding boost was very timely with the Easter holidays arriving, and said no family should be faced with the choice of putting food on the table or paying their bills.
“Frontline services do so much more than provide assistance – they offer stability, support and community.
“The Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek and I saw this first-hand when we visited Leichhardt-One Mile Community Centre and Ipswich Assist late last year,” Mr Neumann said.
“It means great local charities like these can reach more people who are feeling the weight of cost-of-living pressures and get them the help they need.
“And it builds on the $2 million in extra funding we provided to food relief organisations at Christmas time to support struggling families during the holiday season.
“Combined with Labor’s fuel tax relief, tax cuts, higher wages, increases to social security payments and Commonwealth Rent Assistance, cheaper medicines and cuts to student debt, we’re making a real difference when it comes to easing the cost of living.
“I’m proud that we’re continuing to support outstanding local service providers with this funding so we can give a helping hand to more people who are struggling.”
More information on emergency relief and financial counselling, including how to find a provider, is available on the Department of Social Services website:
