The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has criticised the Allan Labor Government’s position on Neighbourhood Houses, saying it offers no guarantee for the future of these vital community services, forcing them to operate on a year-to-year basis while juggling limited resources.
Ms Benham asked the Minister for Carers and Volunteers, Ros Spence, whether the government could guarantee that Neighbourhood Houses across regional Victoria would remain open with adequate funding, and whether surplus government IT equipment could be used to improve the infrastructure needed to deliver adult learning programs more efficiently.
“The Minister offered no certainty, confirming continued funding is subject to the budget process and leaving communities in limbo,” Ms Benham said.
Adding insult to injury, the Minister suggested that Neighbourhood Houses should purchase disused government IT equipment – a proposal Ms Benham called “outrageous and offensive.”
“To be told to spend their limited funding on equipment the government should provide undermines their ability to deliver vital services to their communities,” Ms Benham said.
Neighbourhood Houses provide critical education, connection, and support, particularly in regional communities.
“If the government has surplus IT equipment, it should be redirected to the communities that need it, not sold back to them,” Ms Benham said.
Ms Benham called on the government to guarantee long-term funding certainty and properly support Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria.
“Neighbourhood Houses deserve support, not uncertainty and added costs,” she said.
