Phillip Thompson (Herbert, Liberal National Party, Shadow Minister for Defence Industry) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about something that has been felt in homes, streets and community centres right across Townsville. Our local support organisations are doing everything they can, but the pressure on them is growing every single month.

North Townsville Community Hub is now giving out four to five tonnes of free food every month. That is food that keeps local families going when there's nothing left in the cupboard. Their emergency relief program is seeing around 240 people in crisis each month, and that number doesn't include the people they simply don't have room to see. Families tell them the same thing over and over again: food costs are up, housing costs are up, and they are struggling. The hub isn't funded for housing, yet they are helping between 30 and 50 families and individuals every month with the basics of food, showers, laundry, somewhere to charge their phone, mental health support and help covering temporary accommodation or rent. These are frontline workers stepping up because this government isn't and someone has to.

St Vincent de Paul is seeing the same shift. In Townsville, they have supported more than 16,000 companions in just 12 months. That's not a statistic; that's thousands of locals who need a helping hand. They have provided more than $931,000 in direct assistance, much of it going straight to rent, car expenses and electricity—and soon to be fuel. On top of that, furniture and voucher support has reached more than $535,000. There is a clear trend: more people are asking for help with the basics, with their food, with bills and with keeping their household functioning. Importantly, they are seeing more first-time help seekers—people with jobs, people who simply can't keep up with the rising rents, energy bills, groceries, the cost of fuel. People who once were able to stand on their own two feet are now needing the support. Those who only needed help occasionally are coming back more often. Vinnies are also seeing the impact through their retail store, which is experiencing strong growth. When household budgets tighten, people look for value. These stories are of families stretching their budget, trying to save everything they can, spreading the money further. They also help fund this charity that supports those doing it tough.

These organisations show enormous heart and commitment, but the reality is that the demand is rising and they are under enormous strain. The challenges facing Townsville are real. They deserve the full attention of this government.

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