Sunday 18 October 2026
Live
ZOTPAPER

News without the noise

ZOTPAPER
AustraliaDeveloping

Nearly 200 charities join cross-party revolt over $2m cut to crisis directory Ask Izzy

Coalition, Greens, One Nation and crossbench MPs back calls to restore funding as service recorded 9.1 million searches last year

By LineZotpaper
Published
Updated
Read Time2 min
Sources4 outlets
A revolt against the Albanese government's decision to cut $2 million a year in funding for Ask Izzy, a free online directory helping Australians find food, housing and emergency assistance, has escalated dramatically, with almost 200 charities and community organisations now demanding a reversal and more than 2000 citizens contacting politicians.

The campaign to save the service has gathered cross-party momentum in Canberra, drawing support from the Coalition, the Greens, One Nation and crossbench MPs. The number of organisations involved has soared from 24 when the campaign launched to nearly 200, including Mission Australia, Foodbank, OzHarvest, St Vincent de Paul, The Smith Family and UnitingCare Australia.

Ask Izzy, operated by not-for-profit Infoxchange, maintains more than 500,000 listings of charities, government programs and community organisations. It recorded a record 9.1 million searches in the last financial year, a 7 per cent increase. Food accounted for almost a third of requests, followed by financial assistance, housing and mental health support.

Despite mounting political pressure, no federal government minister has publicly explained the decision to end funding on June 30, beyond a bureaucratic reference to government processes. Charities warn that cutting access to the directory during a cost-of-living crisis risks leaving vulnerable Australians without help when they need it most.

§

Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The cut threatens a directory used 9.1 million times last year by Australians seeking food, housing and emergency aid, during a sustained cost-of-living crisis.
  • The cross-party nature of the revolt increases political risk for Labor, potentially forcing a backdown or creating a persistent attack line.
  • Over 2000 citizens have contacted MPs, signalling grassroots concern that could influence government priorities ahead of the next election.

Background

Ask Izzy is a free online directory operated by the not-for-profit Infoxchange, connecting people in crisis to over 500,000 listings of charities, government programs and community organisations. The federal government decided to end its $2 million annual funding from June 30. A campaign to reverse the cut launched with 24 organisations and has rapidly expanded to include major charities. The government has offered no public explanation beyond referring to standard budget processes.

Key Perspectives

Charities and community organisations: Nearly 200 groups argue the cut will leave vulnerable Australians without a critical tool for accessing food banks, emergency housing and financial aid, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis. Opposition and crossbench MPs: The Coalition, Greens, One Nation and independents back calls to restore funding, making the dispute a rare point of agreement across the political spectrum. Albanese government: No minister has directly addressed the decision; the only public response has been a bureaucratic reference to government processes.

What to Watch

  • Whether a government minister issues a public statement explaining the funding decision.
  • Any legislative moves in the Senate to pressure the government to restore the funding.
  • Potential private-sector or philanthropic commitments to bridge the gap if the government does not reverse the cut.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

How we workSubscribe