MICHELLE ROWLAND MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURALISM
MEMBER FOR GREENWAY
GAI BRODTMANN MP
MEMBER FOR CANBERRA
HON KATE LUNDY
SENATOR FOR THE ACT
MEDIA RELEASE
LABOR’S MULTICULTURAL FUNDING BENEFITS THE CANBERRA COMMUNITY
Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Michelle Rowland congratulated the Canberra Islamic Centre on the opening of their brand new facilities today.
The new capital works were funded through the Building Multicultural Communities Program (BMCP), a Federal Labor initiative to promote social cohesion and harmonious communities.
The Canberra Islamic Centre was one of two organisations to receive their funding under this BMCP grant stream after the Abbott Government cruelly cut the program last year.
Ms Rowland said the Abbott Government’s decision to rip $11.5 million from the multicultural program was a disgrace, but welcomed the news that the Canberra Islamic Centre received its highly-deserved funding.
“The Canberra Islamic Centre does wonderful work building on Canberra’s inclusive and harmonious society and it is welcome news that they received their funding,” Ms Rowland said.
Member for Canberra, Gai Brodtmann said, “The open day is an opportunity to thank Canberrans for their enormous outpouring of support after the centre was vandalised earlier in the year.”
Senator for the ACT, Kate Lundy said, “The Canberra Islamic Centre provides vital services for Canberra Muslims and the Canberra community more broadly. The new facilities funded by the BMCP grant will provide greater access to these services.”
“The Islamic story in Australia has a rich history and grows stronger each year. Australia’s Muslim community continues to do our nation a great service by fostering enduring cultural and religious harmony, and making a substantial contribution to our national prosperity,” Ms Rowland said.
“This reflects modern Australian multiculturalism: a story of cultural enrichment, social cohesion and economic growth. It is a story that the Labor Party is committed to and will always defend.”
SATURDAY, 25 OCTOBER 2014
