The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for Social Services
The Hon Ged Kearney MP
Assistant Minister for Social Services
Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence
The Albanese Labor Government is boosting food relief and financial wellbeing support funding by 25 per cent to help ease cost-of-living pressures for half a million Australians.
Over 300 organisations across every state and territory will receive a share of more than $460 million in funding over five years.
During a visit to OzHarvest this morning, Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek announced that as part of this funding boost, the Government is doubling funding specifically for food relief.
The total funding, rolling out from 1 October, includes:
- $275 million for immediate aid, including food and petrol vouchers, clothes, bedding, or toiletries.
- $20 million for four food relief providers to increase the supply of affordable food, including donated food across Australia.
- $98.4 million to help Australians manage their debt and make informed financial choices in the future.
- $31.2 million to help people reduce the financial harm of problem gambling.
- $38.1 million to support people to improve their financial literacy.
An additional $20 million each year will be available to help respond quickly to increased demand during crisis events and natural disasters.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek:
"No one should be faced with a choice between putting food on the table or paying their bills.
"That's why we're increasing funding for these vital services by 25 per cent, to ensure all Australians can find a helping hand when they need one.
"I attended the launch of OzHarvest more than 20 years ago and today I am proud to almost triple their funding. OzHarvest, Food Bank and Second Bite will see big increases to their government funding and we will also fund Good360 for the first time.
"When the Liberals last had their chance, they cut $20 million a year for programs like this.
"Combined with Labor's tax cuts, increased wages, cheaper medicines, big increases to Commonwealth Rent Assistance, cuts to student debt, and energy bill relief, Labor is making a real difference to help ease the cost of living."
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence, Ged Kearney:
"Fuel vouchers, food relief and financial counselling may sound simple but for many they're life changing.
"No one plans to fall on hard times, yet it can happen to any one of us. In those difficult periods every person deserves respect, support and opportunity - that's why the Albanese Labor Government is investing in frontline services.
"Since coming into the Social Services portfolio I've heard from frontline workers across the country how more people are needing supports. If we want to solve that we must, and we are, fighting cost-of-living through a short-, medium- and long-term approach."
