Guaranteed funding delivers certainty for multicultural events

Queensland’s vibrant multicultural community will for the first time have guaranteed recurrent funding to promote the State’s harmony and diversity.

Community organisations and local councils across Queensland will be able to apply for a share of $1 million in State Government grants to stage events and projects that celebrate and promote multiculturalism.

Multicultural Affairs Minister Shannon Fentiman said the Queensland Government had made the grants funding recurrent so there was certainty that multicultural events and projects would occur every year.

“This is a stable and certain source of funding that will support Queensland to continue to be a welcoming, inclusive and harmonious place,” she said.

“A stable source of grants funding is also great news for Queensland’s new and emerging multicultural groups to plan future events and projects that will promote diversity and cultural understanding.”

Ms Fentiman said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to promoting Queensland as a united and inclusive community – a place where the contribution of all members of society was valued and recognised.

“These multicultural events and projects are crucial in bringing together Queenslanders from all backgrounds to celebrate our rich cultural diversity and strengthen our multicultural identity.

“More than a million people are expected to participate in more than 100 funded events and projects across Queensland this year alone.”

The Government also set aside an additional $770,000 to implement new multicultural recognition legislation.

The funding will be used to promote a Multicultural Queensland Charter and support a Queensland Multicultural Advisory Council to engage with stakeholders across Queensland. This will support initiatives to foster a harmonious and inclusive Queensland.

“An Interim Reference Group of respected community leaders and experts on culturally diverse communities has been operating since June,” Ms Fentiman said.

“A permanent Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council will be formed under the proposed new multicultural legislation by early next year.

“They will be a great source of advice about the proposed Multicultural Recognition Bill, multicultural policy and other significant initiatives.”

For more information about the Queensland Government’s multicultural policy visitwww.communities.qld.gov.au/multicultural