Minister Opens New Migrant Resource Centre in Clarkson
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today officially opened the new Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre (MMRC) in Clarkson.
Senator Evans said the centre will provide a range of services to assist recently arrived migrants and refugees in Perth's northern suburbs. The new Clarkson centre builds on the work done by the MMRC in Mirrabooka.
'The MMRC has made a real difference to the lives of many new migrants and refugees by helping them to settle and acquire the crucial skills and knowledge about life in Australia,' Senator Evans said.
'Their programs help new West Australians make the cultural transition and become self reliant so they can make a valuable contribution to our society and the economy.'
The MMRC receives funding from the Australian Government through the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Strategy and the Settlement Grants Program. Funding through the Settlement Grants Program is to assist refugees, family sponsored migrants and the dependants of skilled migrants in rural and regional areas with low levels of English.
For 2009-10, the MMRC will receive an additional $268 200 in funding under the Settlement Grants Program.
The funding will specifically assist women of Middle Eastern descent learn about Australian government, community and social services and help men from local Sudanese communities access social services and gain family, life and relationship skills.
'It is heartening to see that many people who most need support will get the best available service when they resettle in Western Australia,' Senator Evans said.
'Australia is a multicultural nation that has been enriched by the cultures and traditions of migrants from more than 200 countries.
'About 45 per cent of our population of 21 million was either born overseas or has at least one parent who was born overseas which means that nearly half of all Australians are either migrants or children of migrants.
'I commend the MMRC for its contribution to the positive and successful settlement of people who are new to our nation and congratulate the centre for its commitment to service provision in Perth's northern suburbs.'
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2009/ce09050.htm
Last update: 12 June 2009 at 12:31 AEST