A Shorten Labor Government will provide $40 million over four years to emergency relief organisations across the country, including over half a million dollars for organisations in Newcastle.
This election is a choice between a Shorten Labor Government supporting people doing it tough, or bigger tax loopholes for the top end of town under the Liberals.
The Morrison Government is cutting the funding for many emergency relief services at the end of the year.
Labor will reverse these cuts and provide a much-needed funding boost to the sector.
In Newcastle this will mean Labor will deliver an extra $491,000 to the Samaritans Foundation for emergency relief services over the next four years.
Labor will also restore the $73,000 that the Liberals cut from emergency relief funding for Muloobinba Aboriginal Corporation.
Without this funding Muloobinba Aboriginal Corporation will no longer be able to provide emergency relief to First Nations families in need.
These services provide support to vulnerable people who have nowhere else to turn by providing food hampers, funding for fuel to attend specialist medical appointments and other financial assistance.
The charities and not-for-profits that do this important work are increasingly stretched and need more resources.
A Shorten Labor Government will also support Australians in financial hardship by:
- Doubling the number of financial counsellors across the country.
- Expanding low-cost alternatives to pay day loans for low-income Australians, providing safe and fair credit options when things get tough.
- Reversing the Morrison Government’s $5.5 million cut to emergency relief organisations across the country and providing a much-needed top up to the emergency relief sector.
Many vulnerable Australians are falling through the cracks. Labor will make sure our charities and not-for-profits have the resources they need to support our fellow Australians.
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR NEWCASTLE SHARON CLAYDON SAID:
“I have met too many families in our community who are in crisis and in need of a helping hand. The Morrison Government’s cruel cuts put services that support vulnerable people at risk.
“The Muloobinba Aboriginal Corporation and the Samaritans Foundation of Newcastle provide essential services to our community. Only Labor can make sure they’re properly funded to keep doing this important work.”