Sunshine Coast Charities Receive Funding as Labor’s Cost of Living Crisis Drives Up Demand On Emergency Relief
Community organisations in Fisher will share in more than $70,000 in additional funding to combat the deteriorating cost-of-living crisis engulfing Sunshine Coast families.
At the same time, local branches of The Salvation Army and St Vincent De Paul Society are set to share in up to $2.6 million, provided to state organisations to plug the funding gap left by the overwhelming demand on their emergency relief services.
Caloundra Community Centre, which services the Caloundra, Caloundra West and Glasshouse Country catchments, will receive an additional $23,464.00.
IFYS Ltd, with their unique focus on vulnerable youth, will receive an additional $20,531.00.
YouTurn Ltd, involved heavily in the mental healthcare space, will receive an additional $26,059.00.
Sunshine Coast MP, Andrew Wallace, reflected on his own experience with community groups prior to and during his time in Parliament.
“This additional funding is a huge credit to Caloundra Community Centre, IFYS, YouTurn, Vinnies and the Salvos – organisations who are literally saving lives,” Mr Wallace said.
“When I left school, I worked with young men at risk of homelessness and disengagement, learning first-hand the powerful role community organisations play in extending help and hope during a crisis,” Mr Wallace continued.
“Now, every single day, as the Federal Member for Fisher, I get to see and support local community groups serving Sunshine Coast families in just the same way,” Mr Wallace added.
Mr Wallace called out the Albanese Labor Government for dropping the ball on inflation, housing and the cost-of-living crisis – issues which he said were forcing aspirational Australians into welfare dependence.
“But the reality is that these organisations – though they deserve more funding for the services they deliver, shouldn’t need that funding because of an increased demand.”
“People you would never expect are lining up at foodbanks for one simple reason: Labor has dropped the ball on inflation, and is driving up the cost of living,” Mr Wallace said.
“People right across Fisher are doing it tough. Their businesses are struggling, they’re being turfed out of work, their mortgages and rents and insurances are through the roof. And it’s avoidable.”
“Lower taxes, slashing red tape, increasing work flexibility, restoring mental healthcare funding, building regional road and rail… if Labor would just keep their promises to Australian people, they wouldn’t be living day-to-day on emergency relief.”
“The fact is that Labor can’t be trusted to manage the economy, and once again Australians are paying the price.”
