A Rebecca White Labor Government will provide more help to the community services sector to help them help Tasmanians with the cost-of-living crisis.
After 10 years of a Liberal Government, Tasmanians are doing it tougher than anywhere else in Australia, with evidence that the community services sector is dealing with the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis, whilst also having to manage their own increased operating costs.
A Labor Government will help support these organisations to deal with increased demand, while working towards achieving fairer and more sustainable funding models without increasing Tasmania’s debt.
Labor will continue the cost-of-living boost to operational funding for Neighbourhood Houses for another two years.
We will fund an expansion of the Community Connector program, providing funding for three days a week at each Neighbourhood House for a Community Connector, as a dedicated resource, to continue the work that’s been so valuable during the pilot.
Labor will also fund the Loaves and Fishes Food Procurement and Social Wholesaler project – operating as a community wholesaler, including a mobile community supermarket for remote communities.
It will run in partnership with Neighbourhood Houses, like the Clarence Plans Community Food Hub in the south, with the goal being to get fresh produce directly from producers to the community at a lower cost – helping with rising grocery bills.
A Labor Government will also develop, resource and implement Tasmania’s first State Volunteering Strategy and Action Plan to curb the predicted 42 per cent gap between demand for and supply of volunteers by 2029.
All of this is in addition to Labor’s other commitments to reduce cost-of-living pressures on Tasmanian households, including:
- Tasmanian prices for Tasmanian power
- Labor’s GameChanger housing policy allowing Tasmanians to buy a house with zero deposit
- Expanding childcare services across the state
- Provide additional funding for the No Interest Loan Scheme
- Continue funding for the Energy Saver Loan Scheme to help Tasmanians buy better quality, more energy-efficient appliances to keep running costs down.
After 10 years of the Liberals, it’s time for a better future under Labor.
Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Community Services and Development