The unjustified and unfair impact of the Abbott Government’s new community sector tendering process on Volunteering Tasmania requires a meaningful response from the Hodgman Government, Greens’ Human Services spokesperson, Cassy O’Connor MP, said today.
“The whole community sector across the country and acutely so in Tasmania has been thrown into disarray by the new community grants’ funding process through the Commonwealth Department of Social Services. Less money is being given to fewer providers and, most recently, our volunteers are paying the price.”
“To take away funding from Volunteering Tasmania and give it to a Queensland organisation to deliver volunteering services and support in Northern Tasmania is simply administrative and political stupidity of the highest order. It is unjustifiable and unfair.”
“The Premier is obliged to step in, particularly given his long standing personal support for the State’s many, dedicated and vital volunteers and the work of Volunteering Tasmania.”
“He needs to lobby Minister, Scott Morrison, to have this ridiculous and damaging decision reversed, and he needs to guarantee the State will cover the gap in the interim to ensure the important work of Volunteering Tasmania can continue across Tasmania,” Ms O’Connor said.
