New Australian program to fund helping new arrivals adjust

05 December 2006

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The Federal Government will pump AUD $1.5 million into projects designed to help refugees and immigrants adjust to life in Australia.

The "Living in Harmony" program funding will help 43 community groups, schools and local governments to develop initiatives to address intolerance at a local level, said Andrew Robb, the parliamentary secretary to the immigration and multicultural affairs minister.

An initiative to help Zimbabwean immigrants to settle in regional towns is one of six projects to receive funding in Queensland.

The Queensland projects also include a community buddy mentoring program and a sporting and social program.

In Western Australia the projects include a program of workshops to engage Muslims, Sikh and Afghan communities, while the State Emergency Service in Victoria plans to involve people from different backgrounds in rescue activities.

This year the Federal Government received 561 applications for the Living in Harmony community projects.

Priority went to those initiatives that promoted inter-faith activities, new and emerging communities, schools, and those involving indigenous Australians.

Successful applicants receive between $5,000 and $50,000 for each project.

Related:

• Ageing Australian population fears immigration less
• Australian law exempts overseas income from taxes for visa holders

• Australian parent visas reunites families
 • Australia welcomes 61 refugee families for permanent resettlement
• Australian citizen test characterized as a threat to society

 • Australian immigration required for economy and population shortfall
• Australian job growth and economy strong and growing


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