Page 154 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 14 December 2016
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Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders—grants programs
MS ORR: My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. Minister, can you please provide the Assembly with further details about the current round of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander grants
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Ms Orr for her question and her interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs. I am delighted to talk about the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander grants program, which I announced the opening of earlier this month. The 2016-17 grants program has three streams with a total of $200,000 in funding available. The three streams are cultural grants, leadership grants, and a scholarship program to support employment.
Under the cultural grants scheme, individuals can apply for up to $3,000 and organisations up to $5,000 to assist in a program or event that will promote wider understanding of the cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the ACT community.
The aim of the leadership grants stream is to provide financial assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people so that they can undertake learning activities to enhance their leadership skills and abilities. Under this stream individuals can apply for up to $3,000 and organisations up to $10,000.
Under the scholarship program, individuals can apply for up to $5,000 to undertake study and training that will enhance and support their employment prospects in the ACT and further develop the skills needed to sustain a career.
All three grants programs work towards fostering an engaged and connected community in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is valued and celebrated. These grants programs demonstrate the ongoing commitment of the ACT government to the aims of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreement 2015-18 by working with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to improve cultural and educational outcomes to share a positive vision for the future of our community.
Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday, 31 January, and I would encourage all eligible applicants to consider submitting an application. (Time expired.)
MS ORR: Minister, what outcomes for the ACT’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community have been achieved following previous grants rounds?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Ms Orr for her supplementary question, and I apologise that I will have my back to her again. Madam Speaker, the 2015-16 grants program supported some very exciting community projects and I am pleased to share some examples with you.
The Tuggeranong Community Arts Association received a grant of $15,000 towards its documentary on the life of Ngunnawal elder Aunty Agnes Shea, whom I am sure
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