Campbell Newman passes the buck on help for struggling Queenslanders

‘Cutbacks Campbell’ has morphed into ‘Pass-the-buck Campbell’ as the Queensland Premier’s unprecedented budget cuts start to hit home, the Federal Minister for Community Services, Julie Collins, said today.

“The Campbell Newman Government is telling Queenslanders hit by his savage cuts to community services to go and seek help from the Federal Government,” Ms Collins said.

“This is an outrageous shirking of the Premier’s responsibility to the people of Queensland and an unwarranted grab for Federal resources.”

A Media Release issued at 5.57 pm on Wednesday 11 September by the Queensland Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services says:

“One-off grants for emergency relief will no longer be provided, however people in financial crisis will still be able to access emergency vouchers and assistance through the federally funded scheme.”

The Australian Government has 152 contracts with community groups in Queensland to provide $36.5 million in Emergency Relief over three years.

The Labor Government has almost doubled emergency relief since we came to office in 2007 to meet demand. Queensland is the only state not providing emergency relief for some of the most vulnerable in our community.

“What else is Campbell Newman expecting the Australian Government to pick up the bill for?” Ms Collins said.

“His $380 million cuts to community services have hit mental health programs, support for victims of domestic violence, family planning, rent support, women’s health services, Indigenous employment and the Commission for children.

“The full impact of Campbell Newman’s slash-and-burn Budget is coming to light as hard-working service providers begin receiving their ‘here are your cuts’ letters from the Queensland Government.”