Families struggling to put food on the table will breathe a sigh of relief after a back-down from the Liberals on cuts to funding for emergency food relief.
Shadow Minister for Housing Alison Standen said it should never have come to this.
“We welcome the announcement that Loaves and Fishes can reopen its southern operations over Christmas and into January,” Ms Standen said.
“The State and Federal Liberals must sit down with the organisation early in the New Year and provide them with the funding needed to keep their operations going, and to meet increasing demand.
“Despite the Liberals’ claims that Tasmanians are experiencing a golden age, wages are not keeping up with the cost of living, with electricity and rental costs going through the roof.
“There has been an alarming increase in people seeking food assistance so it is vital we have certainty on this issue.
“We pay tribute to the community sector and neighbourhood centres in the south who called out the Government for their cruel cuts.
“I would also like to applaud Labor Senator Carol Brown for her fierce advocacy on this issue over the past year.”
Loaves and Fishes provides 70% of emergency food relief in Tasmania, preparing 5000 meals per week and servicing 220 community food programs and 38 school breakfast clubs with fresh produce.
Alison Standen MP
Shadow Minister for Housing
