Page 2374 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 12 August 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Provision of Financial Counselling, Food Assistance and Emergency Relief in the ACT is in the process of being finalised. It is anticipated that the issues paper will be released in late August 2014.
We all appreciate the issues paper, but there was a review of the emergency financial and material aid program, as I understand it. It would be not inappropriate for the government to respond immediately on the basis of the evidence we heard and lift the funding.
Recommendation 8 is:
The Committee recommends a review of the Emergency Financial and Material Aid program to ascertain current funding needs and areas of stress within the program.
The government response was:
Agreed.
The Community Services Directorate is finalising an Issues Paper on the Provision of Financial Counselling, Food Assistance and Emergency Relief in the ACT.
It goes on to talk about the consultation.
I guess that is all well and good. I just bring to the attention of the government the Hansard from the community day when the Reverend Ramsay appeared. I ask them to read it and act with some compassion.
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Disability, Children and Young People, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Women, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Racing and Gaming) (8.03): I rise to talk on the other two areas within this line that are my responsibility, the first one being multicultural affairs. The government is committed to ensuring that the cultural diversity of our city is well managed and supported and that all Canberrans can reach their full potential and live the life they seek to live here in our wonderful city. The government will continue in earnest to shape whole-of-government priorities that promote the participation and wellbeing of the Canberra community. The focus and responsibility of the government are broad and include a range of support and policy development activities, including multicultural affairs.
Our commitment to multiculturalism is evident in our continued funding and support for initiatives such as annual multicultural grants of $260,000 to assist community groups with projects that enhance, promote and facilitate the participation of culturally diverse residents throughout our community; the work experience and support program which provides valuable work experience in a government administrative environment for recent migrants and refugees to the ACT; and the ever-popular National Multicultural Festival, with funding for this very well attended and much-loved event.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video