The Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism Michelle Rowland and the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite have joined with the Ted Noffs Foundation today to call on the Abbott Government to release funding under the Building Multicultural Communities Program.

These grants were awarded under proper procedures and were fully funded in the 2013-14 Budget. Successful applicants were notified and rightly expect to receive this funding.

“Community organisations around Australia, including the Ted Noffs Foundation, have been left in limbo by the Abbott Government’s freezing of these grants,” Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Michelle Rowland said.

“This is funding that will empower communities to embrace the benefits of multiculturalism and maintain cohesive and socially inclusive neighbourhoods.

“There is no reason to delay these grants. They were awarded under proper procedures and were fully funded in the 2013-14 Budget.”

“Today we have been discussing the fantastic work the Ted Noffs Foundation does in communities’ right around Sydney providing essential services for young people and their families who are experiencing drug and alcohol problems and related trauma,” Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite said.

“The Ted Noffs Foundation was awarded funding of $85,867 under the Building Multicultural Communities Program to help them continue to do this great work and this funding has been place under review by the Abbott Government.

“This funding will go towards interactive whiteboards and other teaching aids.”

“Kevin Andrews is the Minister with responsibility, he should release these funds without delay to these deserving organisations and let them get on with the job of serving their communities,” Ms Rowland said.

WEDNESDAY, 11 DECEMBER 2013