For the first time in 20 years, the Springvale Benevolent Society will receive no Federal funding, devastating the local volunteer group and dealing a body blow their clients.
For the first time in 20 years, the Springvale Benevolent Society will receive no Federal funding, devastating the local volunteer group and dealing a body blow totheir clients.
Member for Isaacs, Mark Dreyfus said that the Abbott Governments decision to reject the Societys grant application was heartless and will hurt the City of Kingston and the City of Greater Dandenongs most vulnerable residents.
It is unthinkable that Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison have refused funding to the Springvale Benevolent Society for the first time in 20 years, Mr Dreyfus said.
The Springvale Benevolent Society is entirely volunteer-run. They provide to-the-door food parcels and emergency relief to new arrivals, to homeless people and to people living with a disability.
The social dividend derived from this relatively modest amount of funding is enormous. To cut this service will devastate some of the most vulnerable in our community.
I call on the Minister Scott Morrison to reverse this cruel and damaging cut and provide funding for this invaluable local organisation, Mr Dreyfus said.
The Springvale Benevolent Society has been in existence for over 40 years and has received Federal funding for approximately the last 20 years. It provides food vouchers, blankets and emergency shelter to those in need in the Springvale, Noble Park, Dingley Village and Keysborough areas.
In 2013/14 the Springvale Benevolent Society received nearly $70,000 in Federal funding, which the Abbott Government has refused to extend beyond February 2015.
City of Greater Dandenong Councillor Roz Blades has had a long affiliation with the Springvale Benevolent Society. She is available to discuss the impact of this cut on 0417 053 612.
