Government recognises value of volunteering though tangible support

Communities Minister Warren Pitt said today he would meet with Queensland’s peak volunteering body to discuss the Queensland Government’s support for the volunteering sector.

Mr Pitt said the government would continue to support the efforts of volunteers.

“It is important to acknowledge that this support goes well beyond words of encouragement, and involves substantial funding”, Mr Pitt said.

“I’m disappointed that a newspaper article today by the head of Volunteering Queensland, Ms Di Morgan, gives the impression that the government’s support is limited to ‘rhetoric’ and handing out awards certificates for volunteers.

“This is plainly not the case. The government’s support for volunteers and volunteering runs into millions of dollars.

“Volunteering Queensland itself is getting close to half a million dollars this year from the Queensland Government.

“This is made up of $225,000 in recurrent funding, as well as one-off funding of $245,000 to develop a Statewide volunteering database.

“Also, Volunteering Queensland received $250,000 in 2005-06 for a program to help build the capacity of regional volunteer resource centres.

“On top of this, volunteering will benefit from the government’s Strengthening Non-Government Organisations Strategy. This strategy is receiving $7.6 million this financial year.

“There are a range of other government initiatives that support the efforts of volunteers. These include:

• $52 million funding over five years to boost equipment and training for emergency services volunteers
• $10 million over four years for a beach and marine safety program involving marine volunteers
• $2.3 million over four years to pilot a volunteer reading-to-children program for seniors and grandparents.”

Mr Pitt said he had spoken with Ms Morgan today, and she had expressed a desire to build a stronger dialogue between the volunteering sector and the government, and to position the sector more strategically in terms of supporting the delivery of government services to the community.

“I am conscious that Volunteering Queensland wants to develop a stronger focus on volunteering and a closer partnership with government, and given the size and importance of the contribution made by volunteers that’s something I want to work towards as well.”

Mr Pitt said he would also discuss with Volunteering Queensland how a further $130,000 that had previously been approved could be best used to help support volunteer groups, and other moves to support volunteering.

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4280