The Victorian Greens have called on Labor to step in at the eleventh hour and rescue support service Parentline, before it is forced to shut its doors permanently.
Despite 25 years of dedicated service to Victorian parents and carers, Parentline will cease operating after tomorrow, following Labor's decision earlier this year to cut its funding.
With an annual budget of just $1.3 million dollars, the confidential counselling phone line support service has supported up to 18,000 families a year.
The Greens say it is shameful Labor refuses to allocate the less than $2 million dollars needed to keep Parentline afloat, a service clearly needed by Victorian families.
As stated by Victorian Greens community services spokesperson, Anasina Gray-Barberio MLC:
"It isn't too late for Labor to rescue Parentline, and reverse its terrible decision.
"This service has been a lifeline for so many parents and carers. For a service with such a small budget, Parentline's impact across our communities has been far-reaching.
"Evidence has shown us rates of adolescent depression and anxiety are rising, compounded by ongoing education challenges and the lasting impacts of COVID-19.
"Yet despite boasting about its funding to family services, Labor refuses to allocate less than $2 million dollars to Parentline.
"If achieving better outcomes for children in Victoria is truly a priority for this government, then it must also prioritise the parents and carers who support and care for them every day."
