Acknowledgements omitted

This summit brings together St Vincent de Paul Society members, leaders and volunteers for an important reason.

Because coming together can unlock more possibilities and opportunities than we might individually.

Together, as the government and the not-for-profit sector, together as Australians, we are more.

When I reflect on the work Vinnies does and how we help as a government, it reminds me of the Frederic Ozanam quote about the parable of the Good Samaritan.

"Charity is the Samaritan who pours oil on the wounds of the traveller who has been attacked. It is justice's role to prevent the attack."

You are the ones who stop. Who see. Who act in the face of suffering.

You offer support without judgement. You offer care without condition. You offer hope without hesitation.

In short, your charity heals. You do the good work.

But it is structural change that is needed to prevent injustice in the first place, and as a government, we are responsible for changing laws and systems to deliver social justice.

Many Australians have been doing it tough.

The cost of living and the cost of secure housing means making ends meet hasn't been easy for many.

Prior to May's Federal Election, Vinnies provided candidates with your Justice & Compassion statement-a powerful document that speaks to the values we share.

The four priority areas outlined in that statement are close to our hearts too:

Supporting a safety net for all Australians

Our Government has made addressing cost of living pressures its number one priority. We've delivered tax cuts to every Australian tax payer, reduced student debt by 20%, and provided energy bill relief to every household. We've also strengthened the safety net by lifting key income supports:

• Age Pension and Disability Support Pension are up by around $5,000
• JobSeeker payments have increased by around $4,000
• Commonwealth Rent Assistance is up by around $1,800 a year, easing housing stress for low-income renters.
• And we've recognised the essential work of frontline carers by delivering a 15% pay rise for early childhood education and care workers, and for aged care workers, with the minimum wage up $9,000 per year.

Housing security

We know that safe, secure housing is foundational to wellbeing. That's why our Government is investing in more social and affordable homes through the Housing Australia Future Fund, which will deliver around 55,000 new homes for those who need them most. We're also launching a $1 billion fund for crisis and transitional accommodation and investing $6.2 million over three years to support leading homelessness organisations.

Meeting the needs of First Nations peoples

We are working in partnership with First Nations communities to close the gap in health, education, housing and justice. Through the Remote Jobs and Economic Development Programs we have will create 3,000 jobs in remote communities - already supported 650 jobs - around half of which are in the NT. We've expanded the Indigenous Rangers program to create more than 1,000 new ranger jobs across the country. And we've invested $75 million to help prescribed body corporates professionalise so they can negotiate on a better deal on their own lands for projects like renewable energy.

Rising to the refugee challenge

Australia has a proud history of welcoming people fleeing conflict and persecution. We've expanded our humanitarian intake, improved settlement services-including support for victims of trafficking-and backed community organisations and social enterprises, like Kabul Social here in Sydney, that help refugees rebuild their lives with dignity and hope and enter the workforce.

We know that there are still going to be people and families that are struggling.

This is just a small sample of the changes we are making as a government.

Australians know, however, that when they are in strife, when they are desperate, or just need a helping hand, that charities like Vinnies are there.

Now Vinnies is not alone offering this kind of support, even though it is one of Australia's best-known charities.

More providers working in more places deliver real change and benefits to more people.

Our Government is helping many providers, including Vinnies, through new Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity grants.

That money is a lifeline to people and families in financial stress.

Whether it provides access to financial support or direct material support or financial education, it is making a difference in the lives of around half a million people each year.

That includes:

• around 150,000 phone calls and chats to the National Debt Helpline for free and confidential financial counselling.
• thousands of people saving for educational expenses through the Brotherhood of St Laurence's Saver Plus program.
• providing access to No Interest Loans for low-income households through Good Shepherd Australia and New Zealand, to purchase essential items such as cars or white goods that would otherwise be beyond their financial reach.

Earlier this year, I announced 300 grants to organisations around Australia receiving Australian Government funding towards food relief and financial wellbeing supports.

We've increased this funding by 25 percent each year, to more than $460 million over five years, across 5 financial wellbeing programs.

This increase is going further than ever before to ensure that all Australians can find a helping hand when they need one.

But our Government acknowledges that the problem is a substantial one that requires our sustained focus.

This is why around $4 million each year will be shared across Foodbank Australia, SecondBite, OzHarvest, and for the first time, Good360 Australia, to supply Emergency Relief providers such as Vinnies with food, clothes, bedding and toiletries for people in need.

This is more than double the funding previously provided for this essential program.

At the national level, St Vincent de Paul Society will see almost $13 million in Financial Wellbeing and Capability grant funding annually from 2025-26.

This funding supports state and territory-based St Vincent de Paul Societies throughout Australia.

St Vincent de Paul NSW demonstrate their service to the community by supporting people during crises, like recent bushfires and severe weather.

Flooding along the east coast in July this year directly affected local Vinnies offices and support hubs.

The staff and volunteers adapted and offered telephone and outreach services for vulnerable people and people in need - and the good works continued.

I know that it isn't easy.

From 1 October, St Vincent de Paul NSW has funding of $4.6 million a year for five years to help deliver critical Emergency Relief support to people when the worst happens.

We're also setting aside a further $20 million a year, Australia-wide, to meet urgent needs when emergencies strike.

As a government we are committed to listening and to working with charities to deliver social justice.

So, I thank you.

I wish you every success for this summit and beyond.

ENDS