Volunteering Australia CEO Adrienne Picone said, “Volunteering Australia has been strongly campaigning for indexation to be applied to the Volunteer Management Activity and for the program to be ongoing. We are very pleased that the Government has heard us on this issue.”
However, this budget shows that there needs to be a focused investment in grants and funding that clearly identify, acknowledge and value the voluntary workforce and its place as part of the wider Australian workforce. This includes volunteers, managers of volunteers and the organisations who involve and support them.
“When there are 6 million Australians engaged in formal volunteer activities and programs across the community sector, emergency service and through other vital government programs, it is critical that this work is being factored into the budget.”