Media Statement - 25th October 2007
A Rudd Labor Government will launch a significantly revamped and expanded Volunteer Grants Program and -- for the first time -- it will help community volunteers meet the soaring cost of petrol.
Yesterday’s release of the Consumer Price Index showed that petrol prices have increased by a whopping 41.8 per cent over the last five years – putting pressure on non-profit organisations and their volunteers.
Under Federal Labor’s Volunteer Grants Program, almost 27,000 voluntary non-profit community organisations will be eligible to receive financial assistance.
Federal Labor’s expanded three-year $69 million program will make it easier for volunteer community organisations to claim the financial support they deserve. Federal Labor’s expanded and improved Volunteer Grants Program will:
- Inject $15 million of additional funding into the program over three years to ensure an estimated 6,000 additional organisations benefit from the program;
- For the first time allow volunteer community organisations to apply for funding to purchase petrol vouchers; and
- Roll the two existing Federal Government community organisation support programs into one streamlined, expanded and improved Volunteer Grants Program.
Federal Labor’s expanded Volunteer Grants Program will allow community organisations to apply for grants of up to $3,000.
More than five million Australians volunteer for organisations such as the Country Women’s Associations, scouts clubs, pensioner associations and sporting clubs. They all have been affected by spiralling costs over the last 11 years.
Currently, the Howard Government’s Volunteer Small Equipment Grants do not allow organisations to use this assistance to help volunteers with these costs. This needed to be changed.
Under Federal Labor’s plan, volunteer organisations could receive petrol vouchers, for example 120 vouchers of $25 each, and the organisation could distribute these to their volunteers to help offset petrol costs.
We simply cannot have Australians stop volunteering because they can’t afford to fill up the tank. The increasing cost of petrol for volunteers who drive to the organisations they assist, or drive others to and from events, is one of the most significant cost increases for volunteers.
Federal Labor is keen to assist them in their important work, including those who use their cars to transport others to activities, deliver food or other assistance to those in need or who ensure older Australians receive a regular visit.
This is one way that Federal Labor is giving back to those who give so much to others. Whether it’s delivering meals to the elderly or taking the local football team to a game – petrol costs add up.
Petrol is a major cost for many organisations and this usually falls on the shoulders of volunteers. Federal Labor recognises that our volunteers need help in purchasing equipment to allow them to carry out their tireless work.
Federal Labor will also fund equipment and facilities such as:
- Tools
- Computers
- Microwaves
- Kettles
- Sporting equipment
- Uniforms
Federal Labor will redirect funding provided through the Volunteer Small Equipment Grants programs and increase the total amount available to organisations by $15 million over three years from 1 July 2008.
Under Federal Labor’s revamp, eligibility criteria for grants, including provision of assistance to small sporting organisations will be retained. Organisations will be required to provide a statement of acquittal for vouchers used to guard against any abuse of the system.
Those groups which already receive Government funding for transport costs incurred will not be eligible.
Australians are a big-hearted, kind and generous people. We help those in need, often at a great cost to ourselves. Our $69 million Volunteer Grants scheme will make sure that the generosity of our volunteers is rewarded and recognised.
Volunteers are the backbone of most organisations. The Australian Bureau of Statistics reports that 5.2 million people – 34 per cent of the Australian population aged 18 years and over – participate in voluntary work. They contribute 713 million hours to the community across.
The types of organisations that volunteers gave most time to were: sport and physical recreation (26 per cent of all voluntary work hours), community and welfare (19 per cent), religious (17 per cent) and education and training (10 per cent).