Thursday, 15 August 2019

In reply to  Ms CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (20 June 2019)

Ms MIKAKOS (Northern Metropolitan—Minister for Health, Minister for Ambulance Services):

I am informed that:

The Department of Health and Human Services does not fund the Regional Kitchen Pty Ltd. Funds have been provided by way of a repayable loan by successive governments beginning during the term of the Baillieu government.

Community Chef provides a critical ‘meals on wheels’ service to thousands of vulnerable Victorians each week. I note the member is advocating arbitrarily cutting this service, without any regard for the impact on these vulnerable Victorians.

Participating councils have limited options for securing alternate cost effective, nutritionally dense meals and the nutritional status of frail elderly people who rely on Community Chef meals would be at risk in the absence of the service provided.

My department is currently reviewing its interests in Community Chef whilst ensuring that vulnerable Victorians are at all times guaranteed the critical meals-on-wheels service they currently receive.