Delivering on our plan to support Tasmanians in need

Investing in more services and support for our most vulnerable Tasmanians is a priority of the Hodgman Liberal Government.

The 2018-19 Budget is all about delivering on our plan and building a better future for all Tasmanians which includes:

Nearly $900 million for disability support and services with over $878 million in cash and in kind contributions to the NDIS.
$21.2 million over and above our NDIS commitment, which includes $20 million in Stage 2 of our Affordable Housing Action Plan for disability specific housing.

We are also providing additional funding to our peak bodies of $1.1 million which includes the Youth Network of Tasmania (YNOT), Council on the Ageing (COTA), Volunteering Tasmania and the Multicultural Council of Tasmania (MCOT).

Carers Tasmania, the Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association, and RSL (Tasmania Branch) will be elevated to peak body status with each peak body now receiving $110,000 per annum in core recurrent funding, as well as indexation for the first time in future years.

Carers Tasmania will receive an additional $40,000 over 2 years towards the “I Care” resource containing health and care related information for carers.

Tasmanian Men’s Sheds will receive additional funding of $375,000 over 3 years for the Tasmanian Men’s Shed Grant fund.

Council of the Ageing (COTA) will receive additional funding of $585,000 over three years to implement initiatives under the Active Ageing Plan as part of the Government’s Strong, Liveable Communities: Tasmania’s Active Ageing Plan 2017-2022 - a

comprehensive whole of government strategy for older Tasmanians; as well as $106,000 each year to fund Seniors Week.

The Hodgman Liberal Government has also provided increased funding of $1.8 million for food security in Tasmania, including:

$250,000 per annum for 3 years in core funding to Foodbank.
$450,000 to Secondbite as part of the $700,000 Loaves and Fishes Tasmania Project, to deliver 12,000 nutritious ready-to-eat cooked meals to Tasmanians doing it tough each week.
$25,000 per annum for Produce to the People over 3 years, in addition to $100,000 over 4 years to further develop and maintain its successful micro greens social enterprise.
$180,000 over 3 years for Tasmania’s three mobile food van services, including Gran’s Van in Devonport, Louis’ Van in Hobart and Launceston’s Missionbeat, to deliver hot food, warm clothing and blankets to the homeless.

The Budget also continues funding of $780,000 for the On Island Support for Refugees including the Safe Haven Hub, $50,000 for the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia Congress, and $500,000 for Resetting the Relationship with the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community.

The Hodgman Liberal Government knows that not all Tasmanians are feeling the benefits of a stronger economy, which is why we will continue to prioritise investment to improve the lives of vulnerable Tasmanians.