The Queensland Government’s Parliamentary Inquiry into volunteering received input from more than 500 Queensland volunteers and organisations online, as it took to Far North Queensland for public hearings.
The Supporting Our Volunteers Parliamentary Inquiry commenced public hearings in Cairns and Cooktown on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 July respectively, as the government looks to address declining volunteer numbers across the state.
The Inquiry has heard from 542 people and organisations, from the Far North to the Gold Coast, with soaring costs under the cost-of-living crisis proving a key theme from submissions.
Queensland Minister for Volunteers, Ann Leahy, said that recent disaster events in North and South East Queensland reaffirmed the vital contribution volunteers made to the state.
“From the SES volunteers to the JPs in Community Recovery hubs across the state, our volunteers’ selfless work and passion to make a difference is the cornerstone of any effective disaster response and recovery,” Leahy said.
“The State Government is committed to ensuring our passionate and hardworking volunteers have the resources and to find a better way forward for the sector.
“I know that from engaging with the sector, there are a range of obstacles stopping people from volunteering and our government wants to investigate these so we can address them and reverse the decline in volunteering numbers.”
