Ms LAWRIE - 2005-02-08
In the 2004-05 budget, the government introduced a new three-year program to develop community facilities. Could you update the Assembly on how this program is benefiting the Territory’s multicultural community?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It is a great initiative. The government approved $1.5m for three years to assist ethnic communities to maintain and upgrade their facilities. After all, these facilities had been built with Territorians’, government and organisations’ money. Quite a few of them are getting a bit tired and need to be upgraded or repaired. The multicultural communities and organisations cannot afford to do this by themselves.
I was pleased to receive application from these organisations, and to advise the House that I have approved funding for the maintenance of facilities of nine organisations. These organisations include: the Italian Sports and Social Club; the Kalymnian Brotherhood; the Chung Wah Society; the Darwin Chinese Christian Church; the Katherine Filipino Australian Association of the Northern Territory; the Islamic Society; the Greek Orthodox Community; the Cyprus Community; and the Northern Territory Timorese Chinese Association. This community received money from $400 000 allocated in the first year, because the other $100 000 is allocated for urgent repairs and maintenance. I received four applications from organisations for urgent repairs from: the Darwin Chinese Christian Church; the Greek Orthodox Community; the Hindu Society of the Northern Territory; and the Cyprus Community of the Northern Territory.
To describe how important this money is, I received an application from the Cyprus Community because their roof was leaking; it was damaged beyond repair and had to be replaced. There were continuous problems with the electrical equipment and wiring. Work Health had been there and was ready to condemn the facility. Timely, we gave $40 000 to the community to repair the roof, as that facility is not only used by the Cypriots, but also by the Hakka Association, the New Zealand Association and many other associations. It is very important.
It is an important initiative. This government has put in place $150 000 for linguistic grants, and has increased funding for ethnic communities to $750 000 a year. On top of that, we are providing $500 000 a year for ethnic communities. I was very pleased today, in front of the House, to present a cheque for $110 000 to the Chung Wah Society as the first part of a total grant of $245 000 for the Chinese community of Darwin to upgrade their facilities. The Chinese community has promised that they will match $1-for-$1 every dollar we give to the community in order to spend $0.5m to upgrade their facilities. This is important, and the first time a government in the Northern Territory has done something else. It is a great opportunity, as tomorrow we celebrate the Chinese New Year. I believe it is the Year of the Rooster, and this initiative is something to crow about.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It is a great initiative. The government approved $1.5m for three years to assist ethnic communities to maintain and upgrade their facilities. After all, these facilities had been built with Territorians’, government and organisations’ money. Quite a few of them are getting a bit tired and need to be upgraded or repaired. The multicultural communities and organisations cannot afford to do this by themselves.
I was pleased to receive application from these organisations, and to advise the House that I have approved funding for the maintenance of facilities of nine organisations. These organisations include: the Italian Sports and Social Club; the Kalymnian Brotherhood; the Chung Wah Society; the Darwin Chinese Christian Church; the Katherine Filipino Australian Association of the Northern Territory; the Islamic Society; the Greek Orthodox Community; the Cyprus Community; and the Northern Territory Timorese Chinese Association. This community received money from $400 000 allocated in the first year, because the other $100 000 is allocated for urgent repairs and maintenance. I received four applications from organisations for urgent repairs from: the Darwin Chinese Christian Church; the Greek Orthodox Community; the Hindu Society of the Northern Territory; and the Cyprus Community of the Northern Territory.
To describe how important this money is, I received an application from the Cyprus Community because their roof was leaking; it was damaged beyond repair and had to be replaced. There were continuous problems with the electrical equipment and wiring. Work Health had been there and was ready to condemn the facility. Timely, we gave $40 000 to the community to repair the roof, as that facility is not only used by the Cypriots, but also by the Hakka Association, the New Zealand Association and many other associations. It is very important.
It is an important initiative. This government has put in place $150 000 for linguistic grants, and has increased funding for ethnic communities to $750 000 a year. On top of that, we are providing $500 000 a year for ethnic communities. I was very pleased today, in front of the House, to present a cheque for $110 000 to the Chung Wah Society as the first part of a total grant of $245 000 for the Chinese community of Darwin to upgrade their facilities. The Chinese community has promised that they will match $1-for-$1 every dollar we give to the community in order to spend $0.5m to upgrade their facilities. This is important, and the first time a government in the Northern Territory has done something else. It is a great opportunity, as tomorrow we celebrate the Chinese New Year. I believe it is the Year of the Rooster, and this initiative is something to crow about.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016