Zoe Daniel (Goldstein, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

I am concerned that this government has yet to confirm an extension of the Stronger Communities Program, under which community organisations and local governments can apply for grants to fund small capital projects. As the member for Gippsland's motion states:

(b) community groups, already struggling with the increased cost of living, will have no other option than to fundraise for projects that otherwise could have been funded under the programme—

As the motion points out, it's arguable that, amid high inflation, community organisations now have greater need than ever. These grants must be confirmed.

When I was elected, I promised to judge all initiatives on their merit, on the evidence and on the data—no deals.

This followed rorting under the previous government, which infuriated my community and others. There should be grants to worthy community organisations. However, those that do go ahead should be based on need and equity, selected by a fair and proper process. In Goldstein, I have no part in the process of allocating community grants. The community evaluation committee that I have set up includes representatives from the two local councils and a Goldstein constituent with professional grant-making experience, plus one staff member from my office, who is a retired auditor. This group decides on much-needed grant applications from small community organisations.

These grants are much appreciated by the groups that received them to assist in their work for and within our community. Take, for example, Bayside Community Information and Support Service, which received a Stronger Communities grant of over $11,000 in the last round to purchase vital equipment to enable the provision of more emergency relief, information, referral, advocacy and support for vulnerable, at-risk, homeless and low-income individuals and families in our community. Goldstein may be one of the wealthiest electorates in the country, but it has its pockets of poverty. I know of women sleeping in cars in council and shopping centre car parks and of women separated from their long-time partners, unable to pay the rates or maintain, heat or cool their homes.

Nearly a dozen other community and sporting groups received funds for such improvements as a shade cloth and a barbecue for a neighbourhood community house and a battery storage system to support existing solar panels. A local lifesaving club received funding for a trailer to store and carry nipper boards to the beach. These grants enhance community amenity and participation. However, the last round of the program in my electorate was four and a half times oversubscribed. One community sporting club missed out on portable soccer goalposts; another on improved drainage for its oval. New energy-efficient floodlights were rejected for another applicant, as were solar panels for a scout hall and sports uniforms for junior players. Money does not grow on trees, but, especially since the social disruption of COVID, community activities are even more important and to be encouraged.

On a related matter, I'm thankful to the government for acting speedily to activate the Securing Faith-Based Places program, Labor's replacement for the last government's Safer Communities program. Several Jewish institutions in Goldstein will be able to enhance security as a result, which is much-needed right now. However, Safer Communities has an important element missing from the new program. For example, the Rotary Club of Brighton, in my electorate, after discussion with local police, was able to fund uniforms and registration fees for at-risk teenagers and young adults from families facing financial hardship to take part in team sports. So far, Brighton rotary has encouraged and assisted 85 kids into doing a number of sports, including AFL, soccer, basketball, netball and hockey, under the Team Sport 4 All program. Unfortunately, Brighton rotary have told me that their grant will run out at the end of the financial year, and, under this government, there is no longer any obvious avenue for such a grant. The question is: what plans does the government have—and, if so, when will they tell us—or are they simply going to let it wither on the vine?

Earlier this year, the local government minister announced the Growing Regions Program, a replacement for the Thriving Regions Fund. There was supposed to be a replacement, too, for the Thriving Communities Fund, a similar program for local government and not-for-profits in metropolitan Australia. The Growing Regions Program is about to open its second round of expressions of interest, but its suburban sister has not appeared, and there has been not a peep about this from the government. Where is it and, without it, how do we expect our communities to thrive?

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