Media Release.
The
mean-spirited nature of the Newman Government has been exposed yet
again with the axe falling on funding for an annual event that Brisbane
senior citizens enthusiastically mark on their
calendars.
Shadow
Communities Minister Desley Scott said the annual Senior’s Week Dance,
staged at New Farm’s Riverside Ballroom, had been axed by Communities
Minister Tracey Davis – for the sake of
saving $10,000.
Mrs
Scott said the annual dance – which normally draws a crowd of about 250
older Brisbane residents – had been outlawed by the government in a
move that typified its slash and burn nature
with little regard for the consequences.
“It
speaks volumes about this government that it is willing to disappoint
these very important members of our community for the sake of the
$10,000 that this event has received in support
for the past decade,” Mrs Scott said.
“At the very least this is incredibly mean-spirited."
“At
worst it is incredibly disrespectful to our senior citizens who have
given so much to the community and deserve something in return."
“Our
older Queenslanders are already struggling under this government which
promised to cut their cost of living expenses and has failed miserably."
“Now they have been slapped in the face by a Communities Minister who simply does not care about them.”
Mrs Scott called on Ms Davis to reinstate the funding so in the future the event could go ahead.
“The decision to cut the funding seems very petty and uncaring."
“If
the Communities Minister thinks this decision is OK then all seniors
are right to be questioning whether she is the right person for the job."
“This
is an event that a lot of our older residents look forward to each year
and to tell them they will not be able to go to the dance this year is
just plain shameful.”
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