The Brumby Labor Government will invest $4.6 million in the 2009 State Budget to strengthen Victoria’s cultural diversity and help support refugees in Victorian communities.
The Premier and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, John Brumby, said the Victorian Government would continue its support for Victoria’s most disadvantaged refugee communities by providing $2 million for the new Refugee Action Program, formerly the Refugee Brokerage Program.
“The 2009 State Budget builds on a decade of investment in social services to provide a social safety net for Victorians, including those from disadvantaged refugee communities,” Mr Brumby said.
Mr Brumby said the Refugee Action Program would assist more than 50 refugee and humanitarian communities across Melbourne and regional Victoria, linking services at the local level to support refugees, their families and communities.
“The Refugee Action Program provides many Victorian refugees with a range of support services to help them link into their local communities and improve their employment opportunities,” Mr Brumby said.
“The program is part of A Fairer Victoria which builds on four critical preconditions for economic and social participation: a good start, a high quality education that leads to a rewarding job, good health and liveable communities.”
Mr Brumby said the 2009 State Budget provided $2 million for the Boosting our Multicultural Advantage program, which promotes harmony and social cohesion in the Victorian community.
“Our Government is committed to making sure that all Victorians continue to live together harmoniously with the right to practice different faiths, speak freely, celebrate diversity and live without fear of discrimination and vilification,” he said.
The Minister assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, James Merlino, said the Boosting our Multicultural Advantage program funding would provide for a range of programs and campaigns to celebrate Victoria’s cultural diversity and improve social cohesion.
“Victoria has an excellent record of interfaith cooperation. Working in partnership with faith and community leaders and promoting local interfaith events is a powerful way to increase understanding and celebrate our diversity,” Mr Merlino said.
A further $600,000 will be provided for water safety initiatives that will help to reduce the number of drownings among people from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Mr Merlino said Victoria was Australia’s most culturally diverse state with more than 23 per cent of Victorians being born overseas from more than 230 countries.
