Member for Bonner Ross Vasta has called on local service providers to apply for funding to help them support financially vulnerable Australians access critical services in Bonner.

Mr Vasta said the Turnbull Government was providing $328 million in grant funding for community organisations to administer financial crisis assistance and education programs.

“Programs funded through this grant round will help people in Bonner to navigate financial crises and build financial wellbeing, financial capability, and resilience,” Mr Vasta said.

“The Turnbull Government’s investment in these grants acknowledges the central role of grassroots services in helping financially vulnerable Australians transcend issues and strive for a better life.

“Only because of our stronger economy and by keeping spending under control can the Government guarantee the essential services that Australians rely on, like financial crisis funding.”

Under the Financial Wellbeing and Capability grant round:

• Up to $200 million will be provided to Emergency Relief;

• $80 million will be for Food Relief, Commonwealth Financial Counselling and Financial Capability and the Financial Counselling Helpline services;

• $48 million in funding will be available for further services such as Financial Counselling for Problem Gambling, Money Support Hubs and Financial Resilience.

Applications for the Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity open grants round close on 22 August 2018.

New grant agreements will be in place from 1 January 2019. For more information including eligibility criteria or to apply for a grant, go to GrantConnect.