Blue Mountains Posts

Federal Minister for Families and Social Services, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, has announced $200 million for 185 community organisations delivering Emergency Relief.

“The Liberal-National Government’s investment in these essential services improves outcomes for vulnerable families and children and helps to build strong and resilient communities. It will help keep Australians together,” Mr Fletcher said.

“Over 530,000 disadvantaged Australians were helped through this relief last year - providing a vital lifeline during times of crisis, such as illness, family violence or natural disasters such as the drought.” Mr Fletcher said

Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said the funding boost for the Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre will help strengthen grassroots emergency relief efforts.

“I am very pleased that the Centre will receive this funding, which is particularly important as the stressful holiday period approaches,” Senator Payne said.

“Community-backed initiatives like the Centre undertake vital work in helping to ensure that those in need are treated with compassion and respect, and I commend all the staff and volunteers at the Centre for their tireless work.”

Morna Colbran, Manager of the Winmalee Neighbourhood Centre, welcomed the Government’s funding.

“This funding is much needed for our Centre as it will help us to maintain our current service delivery and help us to expand to help cope with increasing demand,” Ms Colbran said.

Emergency relief, from bushfire recovery to domestic violence outreach, is particularly important for our Blue Mountains community and I’m really pleased that the government has responded to our needs.”

The new Emergency Relief funding will be provided over a period of four and a half years commencing 1 January 2019.