Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

Minister visits City Mission in Launceston

Tanya Plibersek and Member for Bass, Jodie Campbell today toured Launceston’s City Mission.

The Australian Government is providing City Mission with $500,000 over three years for the Missiondale Recovery Centre which helps people with drug, alcohol and mental health problems.

City Mission also received over $109,000 in 2008-2009 under the Emergency Relief program to help people deal with financial crisis and get back on their feet.

Through emergency relief, City Mission assisted 2,071 clients from the Launceston region in 2007-2008.

Emergency Relief comes in the form of:

  • purchase of food, transport or chemist vouchers
  • assistance with rent/accommodation
  • part-payment of utility account/s
  • material assistance such as food parcels or clothing
  • referrals to other services that help to address underlying causes of financial crisis

“City Mission provides valuable assistance for people who are homeless, and a range of supports to people in Launceston at risk of homelessness, such as crisis accommodation, rehabilitation services, counselling and emergency relief,” Ms Plibersek said.

Ms Campbell said City Mission has a strong local profile, having promoted the impact of issues such as homelessness and addiction in the area.

“This was a great opportunity for the Minister to see firsthand some of the amazing work being done in Northern Tasmania to support those who are vulnerable in our community,” Ms Campbell said.

“City Mission helps more than 3000 people in Launceston and the North West and it does this largely through the work of more than 250 volunteers.”

Chief Executive Officer of Launceston City Mission Albert van Zetten said he was delighted to have Ms Plibersek visit the Mission, which houses 50 people who would otherwise be homeless and which serves breakfast and lunch every day to those who would go hungry.

“I am pleased to have the Minister see what we do. Funding and support is largely from the people of Launceston and volunteers and I think it is important for the federal minister to see the local situation and understand just how tough some people are doing it,” Mr van Zetten said.