A FESTIVE season funding boost for meal providers won’t reduce the 250-strong wait list for Ipswich Meals on Wheels, leaving some of our city’s most vulnerable hungry.
Ipswich Meals on Wheels manager Bek Dakin said the funding was welcomed in reducing pressure around increased costs, but would not address that their contract allocation did not match demand.
The Federal Government announced it was releasing a $37 million cost-of-living funding boost for more than 500 aged care meals providers.
Ipswich Meals On Wheels will receive an immediate $70,912 boost.
“Even if the $70,000 was used to increase our allocation, it would equate to just over 7000 meals at an average of three meals per week – equals 50 clients for one year, less than $1500 per year, per client,” Ms Dakin said.
“We are currently 14% above our allocation and have been for three years, unfortunately we could no longer financially compensate the Government funding shortfall which last year was $120,000.”
Figures show that funding increases for Ipswich Meals On Wheels have been far greater under the Albanese Government.
Growing from $479,088 in 2022-23 to $804,851 in 2024-25, funding for the service has grown by almost 68%.
“During this time, we acquired the contracts of five more services because if we didn’t, these services would no longer exist in those communities,” Ms Dakin said.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said that while he understood the concerns, the funding boost was great news for Ipswich Meals on Wheels and the region.
“We want people to stay in their homes longer and ensure they have the nutritious and quality meals they need and deserve,” he said.
“Ipswich Meals On Wheels has taken on a number of new areas outside of Ipswich in recent years, most recently moving in to service the Inala region and prior to that, taking on Redbank, Lowood, Laidley and Brisbane Valley areas.
“Ipswich Meals On Wheels made the decision to take on additional areas, putting more financial pressure on the organisation and made a business decision to create a waiting list after taking on these new areas.”
Last month, Ms Dakin posted on social media, outlining the state of the service due to funding shortfalls.
“For 68 years Ipswich Meals on Wheels has never said NO to anyone, until three months ago when we made the difficult choice to impose a ‘wait list’ on MAC (MyAgedCare) referrals,” the post read.
“I’m upset and angry that we have been forced to deny new clients meals at a subsided rate.
“The system is not working, and the allocation of funding is flawed, if even one older Australians is denied access to subsidised meals.”
