JULIE COLLINS MP

SHADOW MINISTER FOR REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

SHADOW MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
MEMBER FOR FRANKLIN

SENATOR CAROL BROWN
SHADOW PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR FAMILIES AND PAYMENT
SENATOR FOR TASMANIA


MEDIA RELEASE


WELFARE AGENCIES EXPECT BIG INCREASE IN TASMANIANS NEEDING
HELP


Welfare agencies in Tasmania are preparing for a big increase in people needing
help with basic necessities including food in the wake of the cruel Federal Budget.
The Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Payments, Senator Carol
Brown, said the Budget will put more pressure on the budgets of Tasmanian
families, pensioners and young people and those on low and middle incomes will
be hardest hit.
This Budget will devastate those who are already struggling to make ends meet,
Senator Brown said.
The savage cuts and new taxes will increase demand for the range of supports and
services provided by non-government organisations.
Instead of providing additional funding for community service providers the Abbott
Government has delivered cuts across a number of vital programs.
Senator Brown said the Budget does not provide necessary certainty for a number of
essential community services.
We are pleased that vital services such as financial counsellors and emergency relief
have been funded in this budget but are concerned by the $405 million of cuts to
grants from the Department of Social Services, Senator Brown said
We still dont know exactly what these cuts will mean for those service providers
who are going to be supporting those hit by this budget.
The Shadow Minister for Employment Services, Julie Collins, said the Budget was
one of twisted priorities and would mean many young Tasmanians would face
months without any financial help.
These young Tasmanians will have to turn to charities and welfare groups to get
basics such as food, Ms Collins said.
But it will not only be the third of Tasmanians who receive benefits whose lives are
going to be made hard by this Budget.
Even Tasmanians in employment will struggle to make ends meet under Tony
Abbotts budget.
CEO of Foodbank Tasmania, Ed Gauden, said he expected families to face more
financial pressures because of the Budget.
Families are struggling to survive and we are seeing a new, middle class poor, Mr
Gauden said.
Sometimes they just do not have enough money for basics such as food.
There are people who have had good jobs and have lost them and others who have
had their hours cut back but they still have to find money for food and to pay the
bills.
MEDIA CONTACT

COLLINS OFFICE - LISA MYCKO 0409 584 840
BROWNS OFFICE SUE BAILEY 0417 550 279

WEDNESDAY, 21 MAY 2014