Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has announced a $19.5 million funding commitment to upgrade Foodbank Queensland's facilities, aimed at doubling the organization's capacity to address escalating food insecurity across the state.
"Australians have lived through almost two years of household recession and the support that Foodbank and others provide is more needed than ever," - Peter Dutton, Opposition Leader
The announcement comes as part of a broader $50 million budget allocation that was "deliberately front-end loaded" to provide immediate assistance to families struggling with rising living costs. During his address, Dutton emphasized the growing pressures on working families who are "doing it tougher than ever" despite working multiple jobs.
"We have to make sure that we can provide support to families. And our announcement today of $19.5 million to provide Foodbank with the new upgraded facility means that more homes, more mouths can be reached." - Peter Dutton, Opposition Leader
Foodbank Queensland representatives welcomed the commitment, highlighting how the expanded facility would double their capacity to deliver essential food supplies. The organization acknowledged the critical timing of this support amid what they described as a "food security crisis" affecting vulnerable Australians.
"I welcome the acknowledgement of the food security crisis that we have here in this country and actually looking at the ways that we can address the food security issue and providing food to those who need it most." - Foodbank Queensland spokesperson
The pledge represents part of the Coalition's response to increasing homelessness and financial hardship reported across Australian communities, with Dutton noting the growing numbers of people "sleeping rough" as "the reality in our community right now."
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