Emergency Relief Funding

Question

Senator RUSTON: backwards and forwards. On the basis that there was $170 million, can I assume that $164 million went to emergency relief of- Ms Hrast: It's all of the financial wellbeing and capability program. That cuts across things like the National Debt Helpline, Saver Plus, no-interest loans, financial counselling. Senator RUSTON: Is it possible to get a breakdown of the funding that's gone to each of those? Ms Hrast: Absolutely. We can do it by programs within that. Senator RUSTON: Thank you very much. Were there any other ad hoc food relief grants in the last three years? I understand you've just told us about the surge funding for 2025-26. Were surge funding, ad hoc grants or however you want to describe them, in the previous three years? Ms Hrast: None are coming to mind, but I'm happy to take that on notice and just double-check that. Senator RUSTON: What about in terms of emergency relief grants in those? Ms Hrast: I think that would be the same because they were set funding amounts, but I will take it on notice and we will check.

Answer

Please see attached answer.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• DSS SQ26-000763.pdf (opens in a new tab)