More than 1,200 Tasmanians call on the Government to fund and invest in community services

More than 1,200 Tasmanians have signed the open letter calling on the Tasmanian Government to commit to long-term funding certainty for community services, with the open letter tabled in Parliament today by Independent Member for Clark, Kristie Johnston MP. 

The open letter, addressed to Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, and Treasurer, Eric Abetz, comes as the Tasmanian Budget fast approaches, and amid growing pressure on community service organisations facing rising demand, workforce challenges and short-term funding cycles.

Thank you for your support. The response to the open letter showed strong public pressure to treat community services as essential social and economic supports. By signing this letter, you are standing up for the services that help people in every corner of our state to access support before reaching crisis point.

The signatories represent people who rely on these services, people who work and volunteer in them and people who know Tasmania is stronger when support is available.

Tasmanians are sending a clear message to Government to use this Budget to invest in prevention and early support now, or risk paying far more later when people are pushed into avoidable crisis.

We're received welcome support from the crossbench, led by Kristie Johnston MP, and will continue to lobby the Government in the lead-up to the Budget to make the right choice and #PrioritiseallTasmanians.

The open letter was co-authored by the Tasmanian Coalition of Community Service Peaks, 20 organisations who represent more than 28,000 employees and more than 46,000 volunteers across Tasmania. It has been supported by a public campaign sharing stories from people with firsthand lived experience of accessing community services.