Almost 200 charities and community organisations have joined demands for the Albanese Government to reverse a decision to axe funding for a service that helps Australians find food, housing and emergency assistance. Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
The campaign to save Ask Izzy, a free online directory connecting people in crisis with essential services, has gathered momentum in Canberra, with the Coalition, Greens, One Nation and crossbench MPs backing calls for the government to restore funding.
The number of organisations that have now joined the campaign has soared in the past week, up from just 24 when it launched.
They include the St Vincent de Paul Society, Mission Australia, Foodbank, OzHarvest, The Smith Family and UnitingCare Australia. Meanwhile, more than 2000 Australians have contacted politicians demanding action.
Despite the growing pressure, no federal government minister has publicly explained the decision to end funding on June 30, beyond a bureaucratic reference to government processes.
The escalating dispute threatens to become another political headache for Labor as charities warn that cutting access to emergency assistance during a cost-of-living crisis risks leaving vulnerable Australians without help when they need it most.
Ask Izzy recorded a record 9.1 million searches last financial year, up 7 per cent, with food accounting for almost a third of requests, followed by financial assistance, housing and XXXXXX
The service, operated by not-for-profit Infoxchange, maintains more than 500,000 listings of charities, government programs and community organisations.
Campaign organisers argue that the $6 million requested over three years is modest compared with the scale of the service, which they estimate supports $83.1 million in annual public value.
Services Australia confirmed its funding agreement ended on June 30, pointing instead to alternative government referral services that do not require additional licensing or subscription costs.
FULL STORY
Revolt grows over Labor’s $2m cut to lifeline for struggling Australians (By Rob Harris, Sydney Morning Herald)
