LINDA BURNEY MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR FAMILIES AND SOCIAL SERVICES
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS
MEMBER FOR BARTON

SENATOR JENNY MCALLISTER 
 SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES 
 AND THE PREVENTION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE 
 LABOR SENATOR FOR NEW SOUTH WALES

ANDREW LEIGH MP
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR TREASURY
SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR CHARITIES
MEMBER FOR FENNER

SUSAN TEMPLEMAN MP
MEMBER FOR MACQUARIE

RESTORING RESPECT FOR THE COMMUNITY SECTOR

 
An Albanese Labor Government will support a stronger, more diverse and more independent community sector. 

Through floods, fires and a pandemic, the community sector has stepped up to provide support to struggling Australians. 

Despite this, the Morrison Government has repeatedly tried to devalue and silence community sector voices. At the same time, many community sector organisations have been working with less money, less funding certainty and increased stress. 
 
If elected, Labor will change this.

We will end the Coalition’s attacks on the community sector, by scrapping gag clauses and restoring the freedom to advocate. 

Grants will reflect the real cost of delivering quality services, ending the practice of competing on wages. Contract terms will be longer so that organisations can plan for the future, workers have certainty, and services can become part of the community they serve.
 
We will also ensure grant funding flows to a greater diversity of not-for-profits, with a renewed priority of partnering with trusted community organisations with strong local links.
 
Community sector and not for profit organisations that support our communities should be treated as respected partners of government. Labor will give the sector the voice and respect it deserves. 
 
Australian charities work hard to give millions of Australians a fair go. In turn, Labor will work with charities to support their work improving Australian communities.

Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said, “The Hawkesbury and Blue Mountains have been through fires, floods, storms and a pandemic over the past two years, and every single time the community sector and charities have stepped up where government has failed,” Ms Templeman said.

“I have personally experienced their care and support in the 2013 bushfire recovery.

“They have been expected to do that with less funding and increased stress over the last nine years, and while the money that supports them has time limits, the need for their services doesn’t.

“I was really pleased to join Jenny McAllister, Andrew Leigh and members of the Australian Services Union in the Sharon Burridge Hall at Blaxland last Tuesday, March 15 to announce that an Albanese Labor Government would scrap gag clauses that prevent them from advocating, provide grants that reflect the real cost of delivering quality services, and have contract terms so organisations can plan for the future and workers have certainty.

“I say to our community sector workers and clients that I am on your side, by your side, and fighting always for what you do.”