Foodbank charity funding slashed just before Christmas

Australia’s largest food charity Foodbank has had its funding cut by $323,000 a year just six weeks before Christmas in a move that chief executive Brianna Casey says “beggars belief”.

The Scott Morrison-led Government has cut funding to Foodbank’s Key Staples program, which partners with manufacturers, suppliers and transporters to provide rice, flour, cereals and canned goods to 2600 charities and 1750 schools around the country.

Casey said the cut would leave it with less than $430,000 a year, just one third of the funds it received three years ago.

“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,” Casey said in a statement.

“… 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. We call on the prime minister to correct this short-sighted decision.”

Opposition leader Bill Shorten has called on Morrison to reverse the funding cut, calling it a “mean and foolish decision”.

“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,” he said in a letter to the PM.

 “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.”

Sheridan Randall, 12^th November 2018