Canberra community organisations have used a visit to Parliament House to call on the Abbott government to deliver funding grants allocated to charities before the September election.
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Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek and Wallabies player David Pocock met with more than 50 young people at Parliament House on Wednesday, after grants allocated by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship were placed under review.
The group conducted a hip-hop "flash mob" demonstration in the lobby at Parliament House to raise awareness of the community grants ahead of meetings with Ms Plibersek and Labor backbenchers including western Sydney MP Michelle Rowland.
Ted Noffs Foundation acting chief executive officer Matt Noffs said the organisation had been allocated more than $85,000 in August, but the funds for educational resources and sporting equipment was yet to be delivered.
He said funding allocated under former Labor government should not be reviewed by the Abbott Coalition government.
"We're not alone in this; many other charities and community groups have also had their promised funding frozen," he said.
"If we don't get these funds the services we provide to disadvantaged young people will be seriously compromised."
The foundation operates a drug rehabilitation facility for young people in crisis in Canberra, as well as two "street university" programs in Western Sydney.
Mr Noffs said more than just community-run programs were at stake.
"If the government cuts away at the nation's social infrastructure, they can guarantee we will have more social issues on our hands and that becomes even more expensive"
Ms Rowland said the organisations had been left in "limbo" because grants have been frozen.
Mr Noffs said a staff member of Minister for Social Services Kevin Andrews called to discuss the matter after the visit to Parliament House.
"This is a good sign," he said. "It shows that when a community organises itself it can make politicians listen. This is how everyday people can make change in Canberra."
Last month The Alcohol and Other Drugs Council of Australia was placed in voluntary administration after its funding was cut by the government.
A Coalition spokesman said the government had needed to review the funding promised under the Rudd and Gillard governments because of a projected net debt of $200 billion.
‘‘The Australian government seeks advice on alcohol and drugs policy from wide-ranging sources in the sector and funds a number of national peak body organisations,’’ the spokesman said.
