Tuesday, 30 April 2024

Lifeline

David HODGETT (Croydon) (13:15): On another matter, I recently received an updated briefing from Lifeline Australia highlighting the increase in people reaching out for help in relation to financial distress. Lifeline’s volunteer crisis supporters, who take calls and respond to texts and chat messages from help seekers on their 24/7 crisis support lines, have reported not just an increase in the number of people citing financial concerns as a driver of their distress but also an increase in the intensity of distress and crisis. Lifeline continue to see increased demand for their services above their current capacity, and their priority in Victoria is to increase capacity of Lifeline services to meet these levels of need. We all know and value the work of Lifeline Australia and the range of community programs and services they provide. Lifeline have submitted a budget proposal, and I urge the government to support their submission in the 2024 budget.