$34 million to assist in settlement
Friday, 30 May 2008
Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said today the Government would spend about $34 million next financial year on services to assist the integration of refugees and migrants.
A total of the 230 projects from 168 organisations are being funded as part of the Settlement Grants Program (SGP) to help refugees and migrants become self-reliant, contribute to the Australian economy and acquire the life skills and knowledge to settle in Australia.
The funding includes $21 million for new projects.
‘These projects will assist migrants and refugees in their cultural transition in Australia and build on their existing skills for their successful settlement,’ Mr Ferguson said.
‘Migrants and refugees will also be assisted in overcoming barriers to accessing private rental housing accommodation which most face without rental history or referees in Australia.
‘The organisations funded through the SGP are to be commended for their contribution to the positive and successful settlement of migrants and refugees in Australia,’ he said.
The SGP is aimed to assist refugees, family sponsored migrants and the dependants of those on skilled migration visas with poor levels of English.
Some of the successful applicant organisations include Migrant Resource Centres across Australia, multicultural service agencies, the Roman Catholic Trust, Islamic Women’s Associations and the St Vincent de Paul Society.
A list of successful applicants in the 2008-09 funding round is available on the department’s website at www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/delivering-assistance/settlement-grants.
Media contact: Khaldoun Hajaj 02 6277 4920 or 0404 078 692
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2008/lf08041.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST