- Public hearings for Supporting Our Volunteers Parliamentary Inquiry continue in Cairns and Cooktown on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 July.
- Volunteers and community organisations encouraged to register to attend.
- Committee report to be delivered to the government by September 2025
More than 500 Queensland volunteers and organisations have had their say online as the Crisafulli Government's Parliamentary Inquiry into Volunteering takes to Far North Queensland for public hearings this week.
The Supporting Our Volunteers Parliamentary Inquiry will commence public hearings in Cairns and Cooktown on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 July respectively, as the government looks to address declining volunteer numbers across the state.
The Inquiry has heard from 542 people and organisations, from the Far North to the Gold Coast, with soaring costs under Labor's cost of living crisis and lack of business support proving key themes from submissions.
Minister for Volunteers Ann Leahy said recent disaster events in North and South East Queensland reaffirmed the vital contribution volunteers made to the state.
"From the SES volunteers to the JPs in Community Recovery hubs across the state, our volunteers' selfless work and passion to make a difference is the cornerstone of any effective disaster response and recovery," Minister Leahy said.
"The Crisafulli Government is committed to ensuring our passionate and hardworking volunteers have the resources and to find a better way forward for the sector.
"I know that from engaging with the sector, there are a range of obstacles stopping people from volunteering and our government wants to investigate these so we can address them and reverse the decline in volunteering numbers."
