Foodbank fumes over funding cut before Christmas
A review into the funding of Australia’s largest food charity has been announced after the government slashed $320,000 from the program just weeks before Christmas.
National
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Farmers are “baffled and disappointed” the government has cut Australia’s largest food charity’s funding by more than $320,000 six weeks out from Christmas.
The National Farmers Federation has signalled its support for Foodbank this morning after the charity slammed a $323,000 cut to its funding.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher have defended the funding decision today, saying there has been no overall cut to food relief programs.
But there are growing calls for the government to rethink the move to spread the current funding allocation across three charities, rather than two.
“We’re baffled and disappointed by this mid-drought, pre-Christmas cut to Foodbank,” the NFF said this morning.
“Farmers are important contributors to Foodbank, and 40 per cent of people assisted are in the bush. Please rethink this.”
Mr Fletcher later announced in a statement that he had spoken with Foodbank CEO Brianna Casey, and would investigate funding options to assist the charity under the new arrangements.
“Foodbank has particularly highlighted its concern that the competitive selection process resulted in it being notified of the decision only a few weeks before the busy Christmas season. I share that concern,” Mr Fletcher said in the statement.
“I have sought urgent advice from my department as to why that happened and for options to provide additional funding to Foodbank to assist in managing the transition to the new arrangements.”
We’re baffled and disappointed by this mid-drought, pre-Christmas cut to @FoodbankAus. Farmers are important contributors to Foodbank, and 40% of people assisted are in the bush. Please rethink this @PaulFletcherMP, @ScottMorrisonMP. #auspol https://t.co/YIqIeh5dm5
— National Farmers Fed (@NationalFarmers) November 11, 2018
Labor and the Greens also called for the government to reverse the effective cut to Foodbank’s funding, with Opposition leader Bill Shorten labelling it a “mean and foolish decision”.
Foodbank chief executive Brianna Casey told Guardian Australia the funding cut “beggars belief”, particularly at this time of year.
“I just cannot fathom why this is happening at all, let alone at one of the most challenging times of year for vulnerable Australians and our drought affected communities,” Ms Casey told the publication.
The cut was caused by the government allocating $4.5 million in funding to three organisations, Foodbank, Second Bite and OzHarvest, over three years, instead of to two organisations.
Ms Casey said the funding was “essential” to Foodbank’s work.
“In our pre-budget submission we made a compelling case for why it is critical that this funding be increased to address the hunger crisis we are currently facing with 4 million Australians exposed to food insecurity every year. Instead, our flagship program is now at risk and our ability to deliver emergency drought relief in times of natural disaster will be compromised,” Ms Casey said.
“We call on the Prime Minister to correct this shortsighted decision.”
Prime Minister Morrison defended the funding changes which effectively cut Foodbank’s resources this morning but didn’t rule out reviewing the decision.
“We’ve actually maintained the funding for those services,” Mr Morrison told Ten’s Studio 10 program.
“It’s gone to three charities instead of one. It means that the overall level of services provided for food support is exactly the same.”
Mr Morrison said he would speak to Mr Fletcher about the funding.
“If there’s any need to review that decision then, it was a decision made by the Department, we’ll take a look at it,” he said.
Mr Fletcher told News Corp in a statement that the funding decision was made “after a rigorous, competitive selection process, managed by the Department of Social Services”.
“Our overall funding for food relief programs has not been cut. After applications from a number of NGOs, it’s now being applied to three organisations – Foodbank, OzHarvest and Second Bite – instead of two.”
Mr Fletcher added that FoodBank did “excellent work in the food relief space” and received $1.925 million in the latest round of grants, “more than any other organisation”.
“OzHarvest is receiving funding for the first time and SecondBite has had an increase of $100,000,” he said.
Mr Shorten wrote to Mr Morrison yesterday calling on him to reverse the cut or even increase Foodbank’s funding.
“Foodbank uses this modest amount to secure more than $8 million worth of essential food for hungry Australians. All of this is now at risk,” the Labor leader said.
“Your government’s cut will have a major impact on Foodbank’s supplies, and risks compromising their ability to distribute emergency food relief during natural disasters.
“I am genuinely surprised by this mean and foolish decision.
“It could mean that charities have to cut the number of meals they provide each day, vulnerable families miss out on groceries they rely on, and kids miss out on breakfast at school.”
Greens Senator Rachel Siewert also called on the government to reverse the decision, saying: “These cuts will see people go hungry. That is the reality of the situation.”
“It’s already unacceptable that our income support rates are so low, charities and the social service sector are left to pick up the pieces, but now the Government is impeding Foodbank from providing a vital support to the Australian community, food.”
Originally published as Foodbank fumes over funding cut before Christmas