General News
17 September, 2025
Calls for review on food charity funding cuts
Calls for the federal government to rethink the recent cuts to two emergency food charities in the Wimmera appear to have fallen on deaf ears, with all decisions final.
Member for Mallee, Dr Anne Webster, has called on councils to join her in advocating to the government for a review.
The Horsham-based Christian Emergency Food Centre and the Stawell Inter-Church have both been denied vital funding in the recent five-year Financial Wellbeing and Capability grant round.
Despite the federal government doubling funding for Food Relief and Material Aid from 1.5 million to four million per year, it has not included the Wimmera charities.
The four national charities to receive the funding are OzHarvest, Secondbite, Foodbank, and Good360.
While Emergency Relief providers have access to these charities to purchase food at cost-effective prices, without the financial aid, they have no funds to do so.
Dr Webster visited both charities last week to meet with organisers and volunteers, assuring them she had written to the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, and would write again, requesting that she provide the vital funding that they have depended on to the people of the Wimmera and Mallee who need it most.
"For the small amount of taxpayers' money you're asking for, it must be a mistake, and I am arranging a meeting with Horsham Rural City Council and Northern Grampians Shire Council to join me in advocating to Tanya Plibersek, who is the Minister for Social Services, to review these decisions," she said.
"I don't believe they understand the vital work you do in the community, and it must be reviewed."
Client Assessment Officer Bev Miatke of CEFC was still hoping for a review of the decision.
"There's nowhere else for people to go," she said.
"Other charities in the area send their clients to us for food."
"We supply the food they need to provide for themselves and their families with no judgment and with confidentiality.
"But just as importantly, we offer a kind and listening ear, and this may be the only place they feel safe to talk, and that is important to their mental health and overall wellbeing."
Clients of the CEFC are a snapshot of a community.
Some individuals need a small amount of help to get through a difficult time, while others have ongoing health issues, an injury, or a job loss and require assistance for a longer period.
No one is turned away, regardless of their need.
Similarly, the Stawell Inter-Church Council is the only charity providing food in its region, and they are determined, like the CEFC, to continue looking after the community that needs them, but they are unsure how to do so at this time.
Co-ordinator Mary-Rita Thomas said she is certain it must be a mistake.
"It must be a misunderstanding," she said.
"Surely they haven't knowingly defunded the people of Stawell."
Uniting Victoria Tasmania received funding through the Department of Social Services, but its funding was cut by 80 per cent in this grant round.
Stawell Inter-Church historically receive its funding through Uniting Vic.Tas, but with the drastic cut to its funding, has left the Stawell Centre without its vital $48,500 funding.
The Horsham-based CEFC applied directly for the five-year funding round but was notified by email that it had not been successful, with no explanation provided.
The loss of more than $80,000 in federal funding has created a challenge in the future, but organisers say they intend to continue serving the committee; however, this funding is vital for their clients.
Spokesperson for DSS said, "The number of organisations delivering Emergency Relief service in the North West region in Victoria will remain unchanged."
"The North West region will be supported by, "Ararat Emergency Relief Committee, Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative Limited, Mallee Accommodation and Support Program, The Salvation Army and Uniting (VicTas) Limited," a spokesperson said.
None of these are food-specific charities; instead, they often refer their clients to the CEFC and the Inter-Church Council, which serve a wide area across the Wimmera Mallee.