Page 329 - Week 01 - Thursday, 11 December 2008
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We congratulate the government on this quick action, and look forward to the continued steps over the coming months and years towards enabling all Canberrans to live a decent life.
We know that there is an emerging cohort in the community now seeking assistance due to current financial pressures. This funding will allow community organisations to reach out to those individuals and help them through these tough times.
ACTCOSS has noted:
The ACT Government’s Mini-Budget will help reduce the impacts of the global financial crisis on Canberra. These additional funds are being invested in those who need help the most, and will provide some boost to economic activity in the ACT.
By providing this additional assistance at a regional level, we are able to build synergies with our existing programs and link with people’s existing supports in other areas.
For our hardworking carers and volunteers, we have recognised that transport costs are amongst the most significant burdens they face. This initiative will provide assistance in the form of petrol vouchers or bus tickets to allow them to continue their important work in the community.
Carers ACT CEO, Dee McGrath, said:
I think what’s really good about this is that there is certainly a stronger understanding by governments of the expense of caring for families across the nation. I think all these supports are really valued and welcomed by carers.
Again, Gordon Ramsay:
The support for carers and volunteers is certainly very timely. These people are the lifeblood of our community. The cost to them for the work that they do on behalf of all of us is enormous—it is only appropriate that we as a society support them better.
I am advised that the reaction by volunteer agencies to the announcement that this funding will be coordinated by Volunteering ACT has been positive. We are also pleased that all these funds will be flowing out the door before Christmas, if the Assembly passes the bill later this evening. If it does pass the Assembly this evening, the funds will be able to be made available to all of those organisations on Thursday of next week, well in time for Christmas.
In addition to the emergency relief and support packages, we have announced a number of other measures aimed at stabilising the local economy, investing in the community and delivering on our election commitments. Of course there is the money for the RSPCA and the $2 million for P&C associations which, I am sure, many of those P&C associations have already spent on the long list of things that they would like to get done across their fields.
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