Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Another week and another example of how this shocking Liberal government budget has attacked people in my community. The Bendigo Salvation Army has had to make two workers redundant from its Fairground Program due to budget concerns. Because of federal government funding cuts to core programs they have had to restructure their budget and as a result have made two women, well respected in the area, redundant.

This program run by the Salvation Army in my electorate assists parents who have had a difficult separation or divorce. It allows parents to drop off and pick up children in a safe environment and avoid having to do it in the McDonalds car park, which is what has now been suggested to these parents who no longer have this service. One particular woman who spoke to me about this, said that she was devastated that the women who have worked with her for the last few years will no longer be able to help her. These are women who their children trust.

Nicole said she sometimes felt nervous about leaving her children at the centre, but because of the hard work of these two women, who have now been made redundant, she always felt safe. Nine out of ten times when Nicole has spoken to these women, she has felt assured that the best interests of her children were at the forefront.

A petition of 113 people has been signed, calling on the government to restore the funding to the Bendigo Salvation Army so they can restore these two important workers to their Fairground Program.