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.”
Choose Your Area of Interest
Young People: 2019/20 Federal Budget
We are calling for a national plan to address the systemic issues that drive youth homelessness and greater investment in affordable housing and social housing.
Mental Health: 2019/20 Federal Budget
The balance of funding is slowly tipping the scales toward prevention and early intervention when in the past this was only a very small proportion of the overall mental health budget.
Families & Children: 2019/20 Federal Budget
It continues to be disappointing that the government refuses to listen to the chorus of voices calling for an increase to Newstart allowance. This refusal condemns countless children to abject poverty.
Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs: 2019/20 Federal Budget
There was nothing new for Tasmania from this Budget for the alcohol and drug sector.
Aged Care: 2019/20 Federal Budget
New aged care initiatives announced last night included funding certainty for the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and $2.6 million to support the implementation of the Aged Care Workforce Strategy.
Housing: 2019/20 Federal Budget
“Affordable housing and social housing, both public and community housing, ain’t fixed.”
2019/20 Federal Budget Wrap-up
Summaries on the major areas of the Budget with links to more information and commentary on related peak body websites.
Older Australians: 2019/20 Federal Budget
There are 183,000 people older than 50 on Newstart who have been on Newstart for longer than 12 months.