Parliamentary Inquiry listens to volunteer voices, seeks solutions for declining numbers

A parliamentary inquiry has heard first hand about the challenges of volunteering by community organisations in Townsville during a public hearing. SEE WHAT WAS SAID HERE.

The Local Government, Small Business and Customer Service Committee has heard first hand from Townsville volunteers as public hearings for the parliamentary inquiry continued.

In December, the Legislative Assembly agreed to a motion that an inquiry would take place into volunteering in Queensland.

Over 500 submissions were made online by those concerned about the future of volunteering.

“We understand that volunteer numbers are diminishing and as a government, we are very committed to identifying and hearing directly from volunteer stakeholders what the roadblocks might be,” MP Sean Dillon said.

Having already travelled to Brisbane, Cairns and Townsville, Mr Dillon said while some issues were common across the state so far, there were also issues unique to geographical areas.

(Left) Townsville MP Adam Baillie and Gregory MP Sean Dillon listen to volunteer stories during the public hearings in Townsville. Picture Josh Mercer.

“It’s important that we go to the volunteers who already commit hundreds, if not thousands of hours every year just to undertake the important work to support their community, or the important works in their community,” he said.

“The parliamentarians need to travel to listen to them and that’s what we’ve given a clear commitment to do.”

The Gregory MP said it was a critical role of governments to listen to the people who were deeply invested in the volunteer space.

“We heard today from people who have provided decades of support, all the way back to Cyclone Tracy and beyond in some cases, they know their field, they know their role, and we as a government are here to listen, ” Mr Dillon said.

“The parliamentary inquiry’s role is to take their recommendations and meld that into a report that can hopefully inform government policy and processes and if needed, legislation moving forward.”

Secretary of Volunteering North Queensland, Margie Ryder said the community group had been advocating for a parliamentary inquiry, with the group putting in a motion at the Local Government Association of Queensland Conference in 2023.

“We’ve been pushing for this for a long time, so for the actual new government to make a call and do it, actions speak louder than words.” Ms Ryder said.

“So for them turning up, showing up, listening is just amazing.”

Ms Ryder said there were a lot of factors that were affecting volunteer numbers.

Margie Ryder (left of sign) and the Volunteering North Queensland had been advocating for a Parliamentary Inquiry into volunteering since 2023. Picture: Josh Mercer

“People are saying to us, and we know by the numbers, people are more time poor than they’ve ever been,” she said.

“Two parents working, the cost of living, even to go to a volunteer position you’ve got to fill up the car to get there, so it’s directly costing volunteers money, they’ve got to choose between overtime and volunteering.”

Ms Ryder believes that education and engaging people face-to-face are also an important factors in encouraging new people to take up volunteer positions with organisations.

“Face-to-face is king and what we’re saying is come in and sit with the team between Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and have a look at the volunteer opportunities,” She said.

“People don’t know what they don’t know and the internet, positions are listed there, but people want to talk about the positions.”

Originally published as Parliamentary Inquiry listens to volunteer voices, seeks solutions for declining numbers