27 March 2020

Roger Jaensch, Minister for Housing and Human Services, Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Disability Services and Community Development

Supporting Tasmanians in need

The health, safety and wellbeing of Tasmanians is our number one priority as we face the challenge of the coronavirus outbreak.

The Tasmanian Government is allocating an additional $5 million to support vulnerable people through the provision of food hampers, medical supplies or counselling.

This is part of an overall social and economic support package to help Tasmanian healthcare workers, our businesses, those who are most vulnerable, our economy, our workforce and those affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

The $5 million package to help the most vulnerable includes:

• an additional $1 million for emergency accommodation;
  • $100,000 to Foodbank to increase delivery frequency and supplies;
  • $250,000 to support Meals on Wheels to assist in freezing meals for the elderly and vulnerable;
  • $100,000 to TasCOSS to ensure a joined-up and connected community sector response;
  • $250,000 in an Essential Technology Fund to be managed by TasCOSS to enable community sector organisations to access technology to continue to deliver vital support;
  • $130,000 for Volunteer Tasmania to assist in mobilising volunteers;
  • $144,000 for the Hamlet to provide food (400 meals per week for 24 weeks) for persons in hardship coming through the doors of the City Mission;
  • $65,000 to YNOT (the youth network of Tasmania) to develop an effective communication and marketing campaign for young Tasmanians in response to COVID-19;
  • $40,000 to Scrubby Hill Farm to ensure supplies at the Waterbridge Food Co-operative and the surrounding Huon Valley community;
  • $100,000 to Waterbridge Food Co-operative to extend their delivery of food boxes;
  • $65,000 to COTA (Council of the Ageing) to develop an effective communication plan for older Tasmanians;
  • $65,000 for Tasmanian Men’s Sheds to help people stay connected;
  • $260,000 for Community Transport Services Tasmania to continue to maintain essential transport for our most vulnerable;
  • $500,000 to commercially trading RSL sub-branches and ex-serving organisations;
  • An extra $1 million to increase provisions of the No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) to support low income families obtain affordable finance for goods and services;
  • $700,000 for Neighbourhood Houses ($20,000 for each of the 35 Houses in the State) to support their local communities; and
  • $15,000 towards National Disability Services to support those with disability face with the additional challenges of COVID-19. This complements the support provided by the NDIS.

The Tasmanian Government is committed to helping all Tasmanians get through this time of uncertainty and by providing specific support for those in greatest need.

For more information visit https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/.

More Media Releases from Members