16 April 2024
Thompson Secures Lifeline for Townsville Youth Hub
A successful youth hub supporting Townsville’s at-risk youth has been thrown a lifeline after Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson fought for an extension on the program’s funding timeframe.
Community Gro’s Garbutt Youth Hub will now be permitted to keep their doors open until August after the Federal Government approved the use of the excess funds that were secured under the former Coalition Government’s Safer Communities Program.
When the Albanese Labor Government abolished the Safer Communities Program in its first budget, and with no other funding options on the table, the hub was set to close at the end of April when the two-year funding term expired.
Phillip Thompson wrote to the Minister for Home Affairs asking her to extend the program’s timeline after Community Gro’s requests were originally denied.
“The Youth Hub was due to close at the end of this month, which would have left approximately 90 of our young people without a safe space, where they are engaged and off the streets,” Phillip Thompson said.
Community Gro CEO Kathrin Meehan said both staff and members were thrilled to receive the news.
“We are so excited and our young people are so excited to continue to have a safe place to stay,” Ms Meehan said.
Ms Meehan said that the battle for the hub is far from over, as a long-term funding solution is yet to be sought.
“Our young people would love the hub to be open every night, but we would love to secure long-term funding to keep our doors open five nights a week, which would be sustainable for us,” she said.
Phillip Thompson will continue to campaign to see this program reinstated.
“The Albanese Labor Government need to acknowledge that this is a fantastic program that needs ongoing funding,” Phillip Thompson said.
“They need to listen to the words of the young people like Jennifer who has said that this youth hub keeps her safe.
“Keep the doors open at Community Gro’s Youth Hub to allow them to do what they do best.”
ENDS
