Who voted to cut community funding?

The Federal Government want to introduce a licence to punt. It will cost pubs and clubs an enormous amount of money to implement, estimated to be at least $3 billion nationally. This is money that clubs and pubs could be spending on hiring staff, or donating to community activities.

Clubs and pubs sponsor sport, build sporting infrastructure, provide money for veterans’ services, donate to local charities and bring people together as places of relaxation and socialising.  They are often the social heart of the community, providing places to meet, eat, drink and enjoy.  The licence to punt will threaten the future of pubs and clubs.

Groups like Rotary, Lions, Apex and Legacy receive support from clubs and social services like Meals on Wheels also receive a substantial amount of support from clubs and pubs. Clubs in the past have provided local scholarships and training opportunities for disadvantaged students and fund extra-curricular programs at nearby schools.

Academic research has shown that clubs have an important role in helping older people maintain social connections at a time of decreasing social participation for many. Pubs and clubs sponsor kids’ sporting teams, they subsidise the costs of playing sport and provide transport for kids to get to their games.

A licence to punt is an attack on clubs and pubs.  It is an attack on our communities and way of life.  It’s un-Australian.

Who voted for less spending on kids sport and our community?  Click here to join the campaign and tell your MP that you didn’t.