In a boost for families experiencing hardship, an additional $12.9 million to 2023-24 funding will be given to 192 Emergency Relief providers across the country. The additional funds will help alleviate the impact of extreme weather events that have affected the country and cost of living pressures.
Emergency Relief providers support Australians struggling to put food on the table, pay everyday bills, and meet the cost of transport and schooling supplies.
Over $1.4 million in additional 2023-24 funding will be allocated to food relief providers Foodbank Australia, OzHarvest and SecondBite who will use it to source and direct food to further Emergency Relief providers.
Emergency Relief services are funded at the regional level rather than by electorate, local government area, town or suburb. This approach provides the flexibility required to meet the evolving needs of communities and to target areas with the most urgent needs.
In Warrnambool and across the South West, Anglicare Victoria, Bethany Community Support Inc, CatholicCare Victoria Tasmania and The Salvation Army (Victoria) Property Trust will disperse the additional funds, at their discretion, based on assessments of need and demand.
Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan said that this announcement will deliver much needed relief to families doing it tough in Wannon. ‘This additional funding will be welcome news to the unprecedented numbers of Australians suffering adversity due to the cost of living crisis and to victims of severe weather events.’
