SENATOR LOUISE PRATT
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND COMMMUNITIES
SENATOR FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Yesterday, in budget estimates the Department of Social Services said they are currently experiencing problems with the proposed changes to the funding of volunteer support organisations, and have placed on record that they are reconsidering their proposal to remove their dedicated funding stream.

Volunteering organisations are worried that if the redesign of the Strengthening and Communities stream goes ahead, many regional volunteer support centres would be forced to close if they lose funding.

As a result vital community organisations would not receive the support they need to manage and recruit their volunteers. These organisations already do everything- from the delivery of meals on wheels, environmental rehabilitation, animal welfare, sports coaching and more. Therefore it is critical that they are supported in this role and that the Turnbull Government reconsider the redesign.  

Senator Louise Pratt, the Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities said that ‘Volunteering Australia, other volunteering organisations and boots on the ground volunteers right around the country have been working hard to let the Turnbull government and Minister Porter know how bad these changes are.

I implore the Government to drop these changes and give the sector the certainty they need.

Labor has fought alongside these organisations because Labor has always understood the importance of volunteers to strong local communities.’