Statement on Foodbank decision

22 Jul 2020

Posted November 13, 2018

Statement from Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie regarding the Prime Minister Scott Morrison's decision to reverse the funding cut to Foodbank.

"I welcome the Prime Minister's decision. Commonsense has prevailed.

"With 731,000 children living below the poverty line, this funding should never have been in doubt.

"Now it's imperative that Government fund this sector properly and provide long-term funding security, not piecemeal funding that means organisations such as Foodbank waste time going cap in hand to the Minister every year.

"Let's be realistic here. The need for emergency food relief is growing year on year and we need to deal with the underlying issue which is inadequate payments to live, particularly if you are renting.

"The Government needs to listen to the call of ACOSS and the Business Council of Australia and raise Newstart and Youth Allowance by $75 a week.

"I would also call on the Government to urgently review the Commonwealth Rent Assistance payment for Australians on the pension.

"We know pensioners who are renting have no capacity to earn an income and are unable to afford to cover rent, medicines and power, leaving many in pension poverty and relying on Foodbank and their partner charities."

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