Tuesday, 28 October 2025

 Aiv PUGLIELLI (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:47): My constituency question today is for the Minister for Carers and Volunteers. I am asking my question today on behalf of the Network of Inner East Community Houses. They have 29 member houses. They run across my region in places like Manningham, Whitehorse, Boroondara and Monash. These neighbourhood houses are in dire need of funding. The government support just has not kept pace with the cost of running a neighbourhood house and paying staff to the point that 46 per cent of neighbourhood houses across Victoria have run at a loss over the last two years and many are facing the awful proposition of considering closing. They are already operating on a shoestring budget, with limited staff and stretched resources, alongside a growing demand for their services. Neighbourhood houses offer so much to their communities; they can be a wonderful local hub that connects and upskills people. They should have the funding that they need. Minister, will you restore funding to neighbourhood houses with a 25 per cent increase?