New program brings diversity into focus
28 January 2009
The Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, will today launch a new program to support communities in their efforts to address cultural, racial and religious intolerance.
Mr Ferguson said the new Diverse Australia Program has an increased focus on addressing issues of intolerance with more funding directed to areas of need. The program will provide funding support to local groups and organisations to tackle issues specific to each community while promoting respect and fairness.
‘Last year I asked the department to take a fresh look at the previous Living in Harmony program which had been operating for ten years. I wanted to ensure we were taking the best possible approach to promoting the benefits of cultural diversity’ Mr Ferguson said.
Key elements of the new program include:
- a small grants scheme of up to $5000 which will extend the reach of activities and help build the capacity of small organisations to address community needs
- ongoing year round funding to increase responsiveness to emerging issues of intolerance when communities identify a need.
‘The activities funded are aimed at bringing Australians from all backgrounds together in a positive and productive way,
A key element of the Diverse Australia Program is that it works with different levels of Government and community organisations to empower a local response to issues of racism and intolerance’ Mr Ferguson said.
Harmony Day which is celebrated on March 21 remains a key event in the new program.
‘In 2009, I would like to see schools, community groups, local governments and business all get behind Harmony Day and make it the best day of celebration ever,’ the Parliamentary Secretary added.
The new Diverse Australia Program will be launched today in Fairfield, Sydney.
Audio grabs of Mr Ferguson are available from the department’s online newsroom:
See: Newsroom
Media contact: Carla Wilshire 0432 755 935
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2009/lf09005.htm
Last update: 28 January 2009 at 10:35 AEST