The heartless and short-sighted halt to funding for Anglicare operations in Wangaratta is a betrayal by the Labor federal government.
At a time when the Labor party's own treasurer admits it is tough going for many in our society, especially medium to low income workers, those on social security payments, the homeless and less advantage, it is heartless for a so-called socially conscious political party to make such a savage cut in support.
It flies in the face of the countless times during the more recent federal election when ALP politicians and supporters spruiked the 'caring for all' mantra that an incoming government would be there as a port of last resort for those needing a hand.
And Wangaratta was not the only community targeted by these cuts to emergency relief centres, many operated by church and community groups with generous support from local communities and volunteers.
Emergency relief centres across Victoria are facing the same financial crisis as the federal government plans to slash their funding.
With the Prime Minister travelling the length and breadth of Australia and overseas splashing billion-dollar pledges left, right and centre on defence, education, health, infrastructure, steelworks bailouts and more, surely the few million in Victoria for such emergency relief centres could be found.
It's been proven in the past that every dollar funded to Loaves and Fishes by governments for instance is returned multiple times by the donations they are able to attract from local businesses and communities.
Hopefully, pressure, if not common sense, will see a change of mind by the Labor government.