A FEDERAL Labor Government would provide $40 million over four years to emergency relief organisations across the country, including $256,000 to Mandurah’s WestAus Crisis and Welfare Services.
Canning Labor candidate Mellisa Teede and Shadow Assistant Minister for Families and Communities Louise Pratt announced the funding this week.
Ms Teede said WestAus Crisis had born the brunt of significant Federal Government funding cuts.
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READ NOWThe organisation had been helping vulnerable people in the Peel region for 30 years, but the funding previously provided for emergency relief to people and families in crisis is being cut.
She said Labor would reverse the Liberals’ cuts to emergency relief organisations and provide a much-needed funding boost.
“Without this funding, WestAus Crisis will be forced to turn away people seeking help or be forced to cut the services they offer,’’ she said.
“The charities and not-for-profits that carry out this work are increasingly stretched and need more resources.”
Ms Teede said a Labor Government would support Australians in financial hardship by doubling the number of financial counsellors across the country, expanding low-cost alternatives to pay loans for low-income Australians, providing safe and fair credit options when things get tough and reverse the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison Government’s $5.5 million cut to emergency relief organisations across the country.
“Many vulnerable Australians are falling through the cracks,’’ Ms Teede said.
“Labor will make sure our charities and not-for-profits have the resources they need to support our fellow Australians.
WestAus Crisis and Welfare Services chief executive Lynn Rogers said financial stress in the Peel region was huge.
“Many people cannot afford to survive and must often choose between a medical issue, a dental visit or paying the rent,’’ she said.
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