Media Release: Continued Funding a Welcome Boost for Sector
[15 May 2007 | Volunteering Australia]
Volunteering Australia welcomes the announcement by the Minister for Community Services Nigel Scullion of additional funding for volunteer resource centres. Volunteering Australia's 2006 submission Strengthening and Sustaining Volunteering in Australia argued for the necessity of funding increases to volunteer centres as a vital support to ensure a sustainable volunteering culture.
Today's announcement, made during National Volunteer Week, of additional funding for volunteer resource centres through the Volunteer Management Program (VMP), will assist volunteering centres in supporting and facilitating volunteering at the local level. Volunteering Australia is delighted that funding for volunteering, formerly provided via the Voluntary Work Initiative, will be retained and reinvested in volunteering through VMP.
Volunteering Australia also welcomes the expansion of the Volunteer Small Equipment Grants scheme announced in the federal budget. The scheme, worth $81 million over the next five years, is an important means for community organisations to access funds for small equipment purchases. The extension of the grants to sporting organisations recognises the contribution these organisations make to Australian community life.