Vic: Budget should boost public housing, drought aid: VCOSS

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2007
Vic: Budget should boost public housing, drought aid: VCOSS

A leading Victorian welfare advocate is calling on the Victorian government to boost
public housing and improve its drought response .. in a wish list ahead of today's state
budget.

CATH SMITH .. from the Victorian Council of Social Services .. says the government
must address drought impacts and disadvantage in the budget.

She says Victoria has a strong economy .. but households are struggling under the burden
of rapid rises in house prices and rent.

The welfare group's top five wishlist for the budget includes an extra 530 million
dollars a year for public and community housing .. a co-ordinated drought response ..

better funding to help vulnerable children .. new Aboriginal health programs .. and spending
to cut disability support and accommodation waiting lists.

AAP RTV jrd/af/psm/

KEYWORD: BUDGET VIC (MELBOURNE)

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