Statements By Members – Wide Bay Electorate: Hub Food Outlet and Op Shop – Speech in the House of Representatives 28/07/2025

Hansard 28/07/2025  House of Representatives

Mr LLEW O’BRIEN (Wide Bay) (13:48): Noosa is a great place to live and work, but, like everywhere, the rising cost-of-living crisis continues to have a big impact on the family budget. Housing in Noosa costs almost double the Queensland average, and a growing number of families need some extra help to make ends meet. This is where the Hub Food Outlet and Op Shop fit in. In a fantastic example of community helping community, Pastor Josh Usher from the Noosa Church, and his team of 100 volunteers, are supporting vulnerable residents through the church’s community service arm. The church recently upgraded their Hub Food Outlet and Op Shop where around 800 people every week access free or low-cost food, clothing and homewares and can receive support from a social worker if they need it. I’ve supported the Hub’s application for funding to help them purchase furniture and computer equipment to assist their volunteers and their work, and I was pleased to support their fundraising effort on Saturday night. But much more needs to be done.

I call on the government to commit to another round of the Stronger Communities Program to help organisations like the Hub continue their valuable work helping those who need help in our communities.