The Morrison Government will provide $4.5 million to Infoxchange over five years to continue the successful Ask Izzy website – a trusted online resource for people in times of crisis.
Minister for Families and Social Services, Anne Ruston, made the announcement today in Chisholm and said the investment would ensure victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence had simple and safe online access to supports such as housing and counselling.
“This investment will help to directly connect people with a range of important services such as counsellors, charities and emergency relief providers,” Minister Ruston said.
“It’s important people know that help is available and Ask Izzy is able to assist individuals and families facing violence, stress or financial hardship.
“This funding will support the ongoing development and sustainability of Ask Izzy and enable it to further strengthen early intervention and introduction to services for people experiencing vulnerability or hardship.
“It’s through this Government’s economic plan that we can guarantee services such as Ask Izzy and make record investments into women’s safety, the NDIS, health and other essential services Australians rely on.”
Ask Izzy connects people who are in crisis with the services they urgently need and has been designed and developed with people with lived experience of homelessness and family violence.
With more than 370,000 health and welfare services listed nationally, the funding commitment will also allow Ask Izzy to provide data insights to government and the sector focused on geography, demographics and service needs.
Member for Chisholm, Gladys Liu, welcomed the Morrison Government’s new funding and said the website had connected locals with nearby services.
“Many people reaching out to Ask Izzy may never have needed this type of assistance before and it has been a reliable source of information,” Ms Liu said.
“This new funding will help people in Chisholm to receive timely, accurate and up to date information or may point them in the right place they can go for urgent help.”
Infoxchange chief executive, David Spriggs, said the organisation was extremely grateful for the Government’s support, which would enable it to continue expanding Ask Izzy.
“Ask Izzy has responded to over 2.3 million requests for help in the last year alone,” Mr Spriggs said.
“The additional funding will enable our team and the organisations we work with to continue connecting vulnerable community members with housing, material aid, family violence support, mental health services, financial assistance and many other forms of support.”
News Corp Community Ambassador, Penny Fowler, said the organisation was delighted to see the Federal Government extend its support of the important online service for the next five years.
“Unfortunately the demand for Ask Izzy has only grown during COVID with so many Australians doing it tough,” Ms Fowler said.
“Ask Izzy is such an important resource to help people in need and those at risk of homelessness to find services to assist them.”
Only the Morrison Government will continue to deliver a better future for Australians, and this is part of our plan to build a strong economy and a stronger future.
The Ask Izzy website can be accessed at www.askizzy.org.au.
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