Overview
Mission Australia has made recommendations to the 2024-25 Federal Budget in four main areas.
Housing and homelessness
- The Federal Government quarantine $500 million for a dedicated Prevention Transformation Fund in the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA) to commence in July 2024, and negotiate its parameters through the National Housing and Homelessness Plan.
- The Federal Government provide an immediate increase to CRA by 50% and direct the Productivity Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of rental subsidy programs including Commonwealth Rent Assistance and State/Territory schemes.
- The Federal Government extend the Reconnect program until 2029 and expand its geographic reach, through an investment of at least $100 million, to prevent youth homelessness.
Young people facing disadvantage
- The Federal Government channel immediate funding for new youth-specific AOD residential services and integrated aftercare supports, initially leveraging philanthropic support via established delivery organisations.
- The Federal Government invest $184 million capital to construct ten 40-unit Youth Foyers over three years.
Employment services
- The Federal Government ensure savings from the abolition of the ParentsNext program are reinvested fully into the replacement program set to commence in November 2024 and are used to fund implementation of the recommendations from the House of Representatives Select Committee on Workforce Australia Employment Services that are relevant to people most facing disadvantage.
Investing in communities
- The Federal Government earmark funding of at least $40 million to establish and operate the Nexus Centre over a five-year horizon.