Time is running out for volunteers to have their say as part of the Parliamentary Inquiry to supporting Queensland volunteers.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett is encouraging local residents and organisations to provide their feedback before submissions close this Friday (28 February 2025).
Mr Bennett said the inquiry aims to investigate the barriers preventing higher rates of volunteering across the community.
“Here in the Burnett, we rely heavily on the efforts of volunteers, but it’s no secret participation numbers have fallen,” he said.
“VMR, Rural Fire Brigades, Scouts QLD, SES, and various other vital volunteer organisations are the backbone of our local community and quite frankly, we’d be lost without these volunteers.
“However we know there are far too many barriers getting in the way of these dedicated volunteers.
“During the previous government, volunteering rates declined across Queensland, and communities are feeling the effects of it.
“This inquiry is the first step to ensure that anyone who has a passion to make a difference in our local community has every opportunity to become a volunteer.”
President of Volunteer Marine Rescue Assoc. Queensland and Bundaberg VMR Member Dr Graham Kingston said VMR units play a critical role in providing on water safety assistance services that cannot be delivered by sparse Water Police assets.
“Without volunteers Australia suffers,” said Mr Kingston.
“We know that government resources are completely insufficient in covering the gaps within water police area. The roles that SES, RFS and Meals on Wheels undertake are critical to supporting government services.
“Volunteers are here because we want to, but improvements need to be made to reduce the barriers to ensure volunteers can continue to give back to our communities.
“VMR has made a submission to the inquiry, and we’ve included several recommendations around reducing bureaucracy, trusting in our volunteers, establishing meaningful communication, supporting an environment that sustains volunteer satisfaction and providing education to students.”
The inquiry will focus on the following five areas:
Restrictions on volunteering caused by legislation and regulation
Current government support for the sector and opportunities for improvement
Barriers to volunteering for non-volunteers
Current restrictions adversely limiting active volunteers
Opportunities for diversification in the volunteer workforce
The Local Government, Small Business and Customer Service Committee invites submissions addressing any aspect of the inquiry from all interested parties.
The Committee will hold public hearings from March 2025, and will provide the Queensland Government with a final report by 18 September 2025.
For more information, visit: https://qldparlcomm.snapforms.com.au/form/inquiry-into-volunteering-in-queensland
