The Liberals at state and federal level have turned their backs on Tasmanians struggling to put food on the table.
Labor Member for Franklin Alison Standen said neither level of government has offered anything but ad hoc, interim support to a crucial emergency food relief provider.
“Loaves and Fishes provides 70% of emergency food relief in Tasmania, preparing 5000 meals per week and servicing 220 community food programs and 38 school breakfast clubs with fresh produce.
“Tasmania is the only state which does not have on-the-ground operations from all emergency food relief providers who receive funding from the Federal Government.
“Funding cuts to Loaves and Fishes forced them to announce the end of their southern operations late last year.
“Last minute interim funding kept them operating over Christmas, but an undertaking to find a more permanent solution hasn’t been delivered.”
Ms Standen said without sustainable funding, Loaves and Fishes will again face shutting down its southern operations at the end of March, this time for good.
“That means their support for 134 community food programs will end, leaving families and communities to go hungry.
“We’re calling on Peter Gutwein to show compassion for Tasmanian families struggling to put food on the table.
“He should be lobbying his Federal colleagues to reinstate funding for the organisations that make sure Tasmanians can access emergency food relief.”
Alison Standen
Labor Member for Franklin
