Tuesday, 9 December 2025

 Kim O’KEEFFE (Shepparton) (12:21): It is hard to fathom that the Allan Labor government would spend $200,000 on office indoor hire plants for the Suburban Rail Loop project yet deny recent critical food funding grants to a number of neighbourhood houses across the Shepparton electorate. At a time when local families are under immense financial strain and support is needed more than ever, with increasing demand and just weeks before Christmas, this government have their priorities all wrong. We are in a cost-of-living crisis, and neighbourhood houses are often a lifeline to many. Yet the Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre, the South Shepparton Community Centre and the Nathalia community centre have all had their critical food funding denied. These centres are already struggling to support those in need. One of the house representatives said that it was a shock they did not receive the grant, despite supporting around 250 presentations for food each week, supporting up to a thousand community members.

This government must urgently restore funding to historical levels through a 25 per cent increase. Without increased funding, many houses will be forced to close their doors. Current funding does not even cover basic wages or operational costs, and nearly half of Victoria’s houses are operating at a loss, putting enormous pressure on them to meet daily needs. More than 1000 of our locals have written a message on the ‘Keep our doors open’ postcards to the minister, sharing personal and often heartbreaking messages about what their neighbourhood houses mean to them. I urge the minister to read them. These voices are powerful. They cannot be ignored, and increased funding must be provided.