Abbott Government puts local multicultural projects at risk

18 November 2013

Macedonian_Welfare_Centre.jpgFederal Member for Throsby Stephen Jones says four local multicultural organisations are at risk of losing more than $24,000 in Commonwealth funding due to cuts to the Building Multicultural Communities Program by the Abbott Government.

There is no reason to cut these grants. Every single one of these grants were awarded under proper procedures and fully funded in the 2013-14 Labor Government Budget, said Jones.

The community organisations were notified of their successful application for funding and have been expecting that funding to be released since August.

The recipients now left in limbo include the Association of Illawarra Community Language Schools, George Cross Falcons Club, the Macedonian Welfare Association and Port Kembla Community Project.

Multicultural organisations like these are the backbone Illawarra community, said Jones.

They are one of the main reasons we have such cohesive and socially inclusive neighbourhoods here in the region.

Their support and ensured continuation should be above politics.

Stephen Jones said that Departmental officials are informing local organisations that their funding is now under review, despite the fact that the Government tabled the list of approved grants in the Parliament this month.

Minister Kevin Andrews needs to immediately release the funds to these deserving organisations and let them get on with the job of serving our community.