Aaron Violi (Casey, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For nearly 40 years, Healesville Interchurch Community Care Incorporated, better known as HICCI, has been a steadfast provider of vital support for residents throughout my community in the Healesville region. Their critical assistance extends across a vast service area, including Healesville, Yarra Glen, Steels Creek, Badger Creek, Dixons Creek, Castella, Toolangi, and frequently reaches Narbethong and Marysville. HICCI's capacity to sustain these crucial services has long relied upon federal government funding, specifically through food relief and financial wellbeing support. Through these funds, they've been able to assist countless people, offering essential food packages, assistance with paying bills and critical advocacy to additional support services.

The partnership between HICCI and the federal government has spanned over 20 years, ensuring these vital services have reached our region. Yet, despite this decades-long partnership, HICCI received a letter earlier this year that their application for continued funding under the Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity program was unsuccessful. This decision was a complete cut in funding. There was no discussion, there was no consultation and, disappointingly, there was not even an opportunity for HICCI to receive a reduced sum.

The greatest concern now is for the community members who rely on HICCI and where they can turn for help. The financial shock has already forced immediate, painful cuts. HICCI has informed me that they have been forced to retrench an experienced community support worker, reduce appointment availability for those seeking assistance and reduce the extent of bill assistance that they can provide. This complete cut has already and will significantly impact Healesville and the surrounding communities. More concerning is the thought that vulnerable members of our community will be left without necessary support.

On behalf of my community, I've written to Minister Plibersek, seeking the minister's urgent attention to this matter, including that the appropriate member of her department engages directly with HICCI, and asking that the minister reconsider the decision to cut all funding to HICCI. Families and locals in my community are struggling due to the cost-of-living crisis. At a time when households are paying 15 per cent more for food, 40 per cent more for electricity and 37 per cent more for insurance, services like HICCI are more important than ever. We cannot allow decades of vital community support to simply disappear overnight.