No. 20

SUPPORTING MULTICULTURAL CANBERRA

The Stanhope Government continues its support for Canberra’s multicultural community in the 2008-09 Budget with a number of funding initiatives which will continue to maintain Canberra’s position as a leading multicultural city, Minister for Multicultural Affairs John Hargreaves said today.

“The 2008-09 Budget provides increased funding for the Multicultural Grants Program, bringing the total to $325,000,” Mr Hargreaves said. “This Grants Program is used to fund events and items such as cultural costumes, festivals, radio programs, newsletters and language programs. 

“The ACT Government will also be increasing funding for the National Multicultural Festival by $100,000 to ensure that members of Canberra’s multicultural community continue to celebrate their cultural heritage and traditions.

“The 2008 Multicultural Festival attracted over 170,000 visitors.  The Festival included the Food and Dance Spectacular where Canberrans enjoyed food from across the globe and witnessed hundreds of cultural performances, so it is important that we support our multicultural communities and encourage all Canberrans to participate in and enjoy this national event.

“The ACT Government is proud to continue investing in the development of our multicultural community as Canberra is home to more than 250 multicultural and religious groups that undertake activities to promote social harmony and respect in the Canberra community,” Mr Hargreaves said.

Statement ends

6 May 2008
Enquiries:    	Kim Fischer	6205 0300	0434 020 498	kim.fischer@act.gov.au