By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Labor, if elected to Federal Government, has pledged to provide $74,000 over four years to Springvale Indo-Chinese Mutual Assistance Association.
Hotham MP Clare O’Neil said it was part of a $40 million national program to reverse the Coalition Government’s “heartless cuts” to emergency relief organisations at the end of the year.
She said such services provided food and financial support to vulnerable people with nowhere else to turn.
The ALP also pledged to double the number of financial counsellors and expand the alternatives to pay-day loans for people on low incomes.
“I am so pleased to be able to announce this funding for SICMAA to undo the heartless cuts made by the Liberals,” Ms O’Neil said.
“I’ve seen first-hand the incredible work that SICMAA does in the Springvale community.”
SICMAA president Be Ha said there was a high demand for help, including people escaping family violence or starving families ruined by problem gambling.
Liberal candidate George Hua did not respond to Star News’s enquiry.
