- More Queenslanders will have access to vital supports as the Palaszczuk Government expands Emergency Relief program.
- Neighbourhood Centres have reported increased demand for emergency relief amid rising cost of living.
- $3.3 million has been committed to expanding emergency relief funding to new service locations.
More Queenslanders will be able to access financial support for essential items as the Palaszczuk Government expands a vital service to ease cost of living pressures for families.
The Emergency Relief program supports Queenslanders experiencing immediate financial hardship, providing access to items such as food hampers, vouchers for essential items and transport, and contributions towards the payment of bills.
The 2023-24 State Budget delivers $4.25 million in food and emergency relief, including $3.3 million to extend and expand emergency relief throughout Queensland.
There are currently 88 providers delivering state-funded emergency relief services, including 35 Neighbourhood Centres.
The Queensland Government is also working with Queensland’s discrete Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to provide Emergency Relief funding into these communities for the first time.
This funding will increase the amount of emergency relief available to vulnerable Queenslanders. It will also ensure that state-funded neighbourhood centres will also have the opportunity to provide emergency relief.
Quotes attributable to Minister Leeanne Enoch:
“We know that many Queenslanders are doing it tough right now as the result of national cost of living pressures. The 2023 State Budget is focused squarely on tackling these pressures and helping Queenslanders make ends meet.
“Our government funds 128 Neighbourhood Centres, who have reported increased demand for emergency relief across the community.
“That’s why we doubled funding for emergency relief providers in 2022-23 and have committed a further $3.3 million in 2023-24 to extend and expand the Emergency Relief program to more locations across Queensland.
“This investment increases the reach and availability of this relief and means more Queenslanders will be able to access essential supports such as food hampers, vouchers for fuel or transport, and contributions towards the payment of bills.
“Neighbourhood Centres can also link people in with appropriate financial and social support services to prevent future financial crisis.”
“Neighbourhood Centres are well known, trusted places for people to turn to when they need support. This extra brokerage for participating Neighbourhood Centres will help provide the needed assistance to local community members.
Quotes attributable to Em James, CEO of Neighbourhood Centres Queensland:
“Neighbourhood Centres Queensland welcomes the continued investment in neighbourhood centres in the current environment of increased community demand and corresponding pressures on frontline staff. The neighbourhood centre sector will continue to work with our community partners in supporting vulnerable people.
We are pleased that the Queensland Government is listening to the concerns of Neighbourhood Centres regarding the challenges communities throughout Queensland are facing with the increased cost of living. We look forward to continuing to work with the Queensland Government on identifying place-based, locally-led solutions.
