SENATOR LOUISE PRATT

ASSISTANT SHADOW MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND COMMMUNITIES

SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Turnbull Government has put critical volunteer management and support services in our local communities at risk, which was confirmed in Senate Estimates.

Senator Louise Pratt, Labor’s Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities said “I am very concerned that the government will not commit to funding for volunteer management services. These organisations provide vital support to community services that rely on their volunteers – from universities, to community sporting groups, to disability and aged care services, to emergency response and more.”

The Turnbull Government and Minister Christian Porter are conducting a redesign of the Strengthening Communities programme, which provides the only source of Federal funding for volunteer management and support services. Under the current proposal volunteer management services would be excluded from specific funding.

Senator Pratt recently met with the Peel Volunteer Resource Centre (PVRC) in Western Australia to discuss how important the efforts of volunteers are to the local community.

“Without Federal funding the PVRC will no longer be able to support local organisations to recruit, train and support volunteers. This will have a terrible impact on our community.’

Carol Carter from K9 Rescue Group, who relies on the PVRC has said ‘we rely on the Peel Volunteer Resource Service (PVRC) to recruit volunteers to service K9 Rescue Group who service five pounds in the region. The PVRC has worked with K9 to find volunteers, a healthy committee, a treasurer and has helped the organisation meet its administrative obligations’

The PVRC is just one of many organisations around Australia that will not be able to continue operation if this redesign goes ahead.

To find out more about Volunteering Australia’s campaign, go to www.volunteeringaustralia.org