An elected Dutton Coalition Government will commit $19.5 million for Foodbank Queensland to establish a new distribution centre in South East Queensland to deliver more critical food relief services across the state.
This builds on the Leader of the Opposition's announcement in his Budget-in-Reply speech of $50 million to help food charities - like Foodbank, SecondBite and OzHarvest - to expand their services, including school breakfast programs, to support Australians struggling under Labor's cost of living crisis.
Foodbank Queensland currently delivers over 13 million kilograms of food every year from its facility in Morningside, providing food to over 425 charities to assist families impacted by food insecurity. It also runs School Breakfast Programs in 425 schools, giving children access to a healthy breakfast and making sure they do not attend school feeling hungry.
A new Foodbank Queensland Distribution Centre will include:
4,500 pallet spaces, which is triple the current volume;
temperature-controlled zones allowing for enhanced food safety, quality and extending the shelf life of ambient, chilled and frozen products;
dedicated areas for safe and efficient food delivery and dispatch; and
multipurpose training space and office space for volunteers and staff.
The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Peter Dutton MP, who visited Foodbank's Morningside site today, said this announcement highlighted the Coalition's commitment to helping those in need.
"Under Labor's cost of living crisis, we know that charities are experiencing increased demand, including from Australians who have never previously relied on that support. Families are having to make difficult choices about whether they can afford the necessities like food, rent and medicine. The Coalition is committed to making life easier for all Australians, and ensuring our most vulnerable can access the support they need."
Shadow Minister for Social Services, the Hon Michael Sukkar MP said nearly 2 million Australian households of all age groups and demographics have experienced severe food insecurity in the past 12 months.
"Under the Albanese Labor Government, Australians are experiencing the worst collapse in living standards in history. Real household disposable income has plummeted by 8 per cent, and the price of everything has soared by more than 10 per cent since the last election.
"Unlike Labor, we have listened to the sector and know Australians need increased support now. Only a Coalition has a plan to fix Labor's cost of living crisis and get Australia back on track."
Shadow Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, Senator Dean Smith, noted that Foodbank had reported that around 700,000 Queensland households experienced food insecurity last year, including 22% of households earning more than $95,000 and 25% of mortgage holders.
"This significant investment in food relief will make a real difference on the ground where people are doing it tough. The new Foodbank Queensland Distribution Centre will be three times the size of the current facility, enabling Foodbank Queensland to expand its services to more families in crisis, including in regional and remote areas, and expand the School Breakfast Program."
Liberal National candidate for Brisbane, Mr Trevor Evans, said "People in Brisbane are doing it really tough right now, and it's the same story for community and volunteer organisations like Foodbank. I'm really proud that this funding commitment will go some way to getting better outcomes and support for some of Brisbane's most vulnerable people."
Only the Coalition has a plan to fix Labor's cost of living crisis and get Australia back on track.
