Morrison steps in to save Foodbank from funding cuts

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has stepped in to save Foodbank from huge funding cuts after it was announced OzHarvest would also share in the relief budget.

Foodbank was told of the redistribution in the relief budget – which would have seen the money shared between Foodbank, Second Bite and OzHarvest – and expressed concern over the more than $250,000 a year cut to its essential programs.

“I have listened and decided to increase the Food Relief budget by $1.5 million over the next 4.5 years,” Morrison announced on Twitter on Tuesday. “This maintains Foodbanks funding at $750/yr, with Second Bite and OzHarvest funded as announced last week.”

Social Services Minister Paul Fletcher confirmed on Monday that three charities, rather than two, would share in more than $4.5 million over four-and-a-half years. It is the first time that OzHarvest will share in this funding and would have seen Second Bite receive extra funding.

Before Morrison’s intervention, this meant cutting Foodbank’s critical funding. The group said it would mean its Key Staples program – which makes sure essential supplies like rice, bread and vegetables get to hungry people – would drop from $750,000 to $427,000.

Morrison’s decision means the total food relief budget will rise to $6 million. Over the next four-and-a-half years, Foodbank, Second Bite and OzHarvest would share in this funding.

Morrison has also asked that Fletcher place more focus on delivering food relief in drought-affected areas: “Important that food relief in drought areas is delivered in a way that does not undercut local businesses. Minister will work with providers to get the right plan in place.”

Fletcher said he has invited the heads of Foodbank, Second Bite and OzHarvest to a roundtable to discuss the new arrangements and “coordinate a continuing collaborative approach to food relief”.

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