Andrew Gee (Calare, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

To the Minister for Social Services, the Orange Seniors Village Hub provides support, education and community for many seniors in Orange, New South Wales, yet funding for the village hub program has been cut, with no support for it in the recent budget. This has devastated our seniors. Orange City Council has confirmed that the alternative funding your department has suggested does not cover seniors and will not support the Orange Seniors Village Hub. Will you restore funding to the Orange Seniors Village Hub and support seniors in Orange and across our region?

Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd like to thank the member for his question. The Albanese government is supporting older Australians and delivering cost-of-living relief to every Australian. I recognise the important work that organisations like the Orange City Council undertake in local communities across Australia through the programs and services they deliver.

The Seniors Connected program which funded the seniors village hubs was always scheduled to cease under those opposite on 30 June 2024. In saying that, the Albanese Labor government is looking at ways we can support Australians to stay connected to their family and friends and to confidently and safely use the internet and other digital technologies.

I'm happy to continue to work with the member to ensure that we can look at other opportunities, but when it comes to this program, the program was ceasing under those opposite and the funding will finish on 30 June.