SENATOR LOUISE PRATT
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND COMMMUNITIES

SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

A GREAT WIN AFTER A BAD DECISION FOR AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEERING

Labor welcomes news today that Social Services Minister Christian Porter has back-flipped on a decision to remove the dedicated funding stream for Australia’s Volunteer Management Services.

Labor has strongly supported Volunteering Australia’s campaign to retain dedicated funding. Labor Members and Senators around the country have been meeting with their local volunteering organisations to highlight the impact of the removal of this funding on volunteers and the many critical services they provide to local communities.

Senator Pratt said today “These organisations provide support, resources and training to individuals and volunteering organisations across the country, and are essential to building capacity in our communities.

Vital community services, such as aged care, education, and emergency services as well as sporting, environment, welfare and cultural organisations rely on this support to deliver for our communities.

The Government has finally listened calls from Labor and the volunteering sector. For too long, Turnbull, Porter and the Liberal Government ignored pleas to maintain this critical funding, creating uncertainty and instability for Australia’s volunteers and the organisations that support them.

The success of Volunteering Australia’s campaign means the uncertainty is now over and that $19.95 million will be dedicated to Volunteer Management from 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2021 in the redesigned Strong and Resilient Communities Grants Program.”

Last month, Senator Louise Pratt, Labor’s Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities, tabled a petition and spoke in the Senate on behalf of Volunteering Australia asking for the designated funding to be retained.

You can find out more about the new Strong and Resilient Communities Grant round here: https://www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/communities-and-vulnerable-people/strong-and-resilient-communities