Media Statements: Statements http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx RSS feed for the Statements list. Department of the Premier and Cabinet Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:58:35 GMT Windows SharePoint Services V3 RSS Generator 60 Media Statements: Statements /_layouts/images/homepage.gif http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/Date Descending.aspx WA Week 2009 http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132640 Content:

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli today encouraged Western Australians to join in WA Week celebrations between October 19-25.

 

Mr Castrilli said WA Week was a key event in the State’s cultural calendar and provided Western Australians the opportunity to celebrate our unique history, heritage and development.

 

“WA Week also highlights the anniversary of Proclamation Day, marking the 119th anniversary of the granting of self-government to Western Australia on October 21, 1890,” he said.

 

“We are delighted to provide support to these events and celebrations which aim to encourage community participation, and are often held in partnership with local businesses; Rotary and Lions clubs; parents’ associations; and community volunteers.

 

“This year, 31 community groups, in 13 metropolitan and 18 regional areas have received small grants to present WA Week initiatives.”

 

The Minister said the State Government was proud to support Celebrate WA Inc. to deliver programs promoting multiculturalism, civic development and contribution to public life.

 

“Celebrate WA has a 37-year history of working with our community and offers a dynamic and exciting range of programs for all Western Australians,” he said.

 

“Positive initiatives such as WA Week aim to bring Western Australians together to share our pride in the achievements of the past and the solid growth of today and the future.”

 

WA Week commences with the opening ceremony and free community event today at the grounds of the Constitutional Centre of WA.  A complete list of 2009 WA Week activities is available from http://www.celebrateswa.com.au or on 9481 8066

 

Minister's office  - 9213 6800
Date: 19/10/2009
Minister: Castrilli
Portfolio: Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Mon, 19 Oct 2009 03:07:35 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132640 Report identifies opportunities for multicultural artists http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132530 Content:

A research paper has examined issues faced by culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) artists and how opportunities can be developed to support multicultural arts throughout Western Australia.

 

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli and Culture and the Arts Minister John Day today announced the public release of the report ‘Western Australia Intercultural Arts Research Project’. 

 

This report highlights the need to support artists from CaLD backgrounds in the development and presentation of their work.

 

Mr Castrilli said the multicultural arts sector was a rich source of creativity and the report provided a catalyst to raise the profile of artists from diverse backgrounds and consideration of appropriate funding and support.

 

“Multicultural arts offer WA an abundance of opportunities in areas such as cultural exchange, trade, tourism, education, community development and innovation,” he said.

 

Mr Castrilli said that despite challenges of migration to a new country, limited work opportunities in the arts, language barriers and cultural differences, a quarter of CaLD artists surveyed in the study had their art work exhibited or presented in public.

 

“A key recommendation of the report is the development of a specific policy, together with program intervention, to address the needs of artists from CaLD backgrounds,” he said.

 

Mr Day said the Department of Culture and the Arts was working closely with the Office of Multicultural Interests to promote the Liberal-National Government’s commitment to multicultural arts in the State.

 

“Through the establishment of the Intercultural Arts Working Party, the agencies are sharing knowledge and information in order to better assist multicultural artists and their work,” Mr Day said.

 

“Many of the issues highlighted in the report have been previously identified by the    Department of Culture and the Arts and resonate with concerns raised from arts and cultural sector consultation undertaken by the department as part of its recent policy development process.

 

“Through the State Government’s Substantive Equality framework, strategies will be implemented to ensure all artists, regardless of background, will have equitable access to programs and services.”

 

The research was commissioned by the Office of Multicultural Interests and undertaken by Deakin University.  The report can be found on http://omi.wa.gov.au or phone 9217 1600.

 

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister’s office: 9213 6800

Culture and the Arts Minister’s office:  9213 6600

Date: 24/09/2009
Minister: Castrilli;Day
Portfolio: Citizenship and Multicultural Interests;Culture and the Arts
Region: All
]]> Arbouin, Shane Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:36:47 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132530 Minister visits key multicultural agencies http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132429 Content:

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli will today meet with two of the State’s leading multicultural agencies.

 

Mr Castrilli said for the past decade, the Edmund Rice Centre (ERC) in Mirrabooka had co-ordinated services including English language classes, and life-skills programs for humanitarian entrants and indigenous families in the northern metropolitan area.

 

“The Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre (MMRC) has also been responsible for promoting the wellbeing of refugees, humanitarian entrants and their communities in the Perth metropolitan area,” he said.

 

The Minister’s visit to the multicultural agencies followed an announcement in June this year, that the ERC and the MMRC were two of three successful recipients of triennial project funding though the Office of Multicultural Interests’ Ethnic Organisations Fund (EOF).

 

The ERC Mirrabooka will support the English literacy and employment skills of humanitarian entrants and deliver workshops to universities, colleges and schools to raise awareness of the benefits of multiculturism.

 

The MNRC’s project will build the capacity of community leaders from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) communities through leadership and governance training and assist communities to develop their own programs.

 

Mr Castrilli said the EOF ensured the State Government invested in the best multicultural programs. The fund was a partnership with the leading multicultural organisations to enhance social, economic and cultural developments of migrants and position cultural diversity as an asset in the State.

 

“The Office of Multicultural Interests will work closely with each organisation to ensure the success of these important programs,” he said.

 

While visiting the MMRC, the Minister will also present a cheque from Lotterywest to assist in the expansion and upgrade of its two premises in Mirrabooka and Clarkson.

 

Minister's office  - 9213 6800
Date: 2/09/2009
Minister: Castrilli
Portfolio: Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Wed, 02 Sep 2009 00:43:07 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132429 Focus on the needs of humanitarian entrants http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132396 Content:

The State Government has released two reports detailing the progress made by government departments in meeting the needs of African humanitarian entrants.

 

The reports, ‘The Settlement Issues for African Humanitarian Entrants in Western Australia’ and ‘Across Government Working Party on Settlement Issues for African Humanitarian Entrants’, provide an opportunity for all Western Australians to understand how government agencies support the settlement of the new arrivals.

 

“Humanitarian entrants are permanent visaed arrivals and are entitled to access all State services,” Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli said.

 

“We can be proud of Australia’s humanitarian program and it is important to see the potential of people as economic, social and cultural assets for WA.

“Since 2000-01, WA has settled approximately 1,200 humanitarian entrants annually. While African humanitarian entrants represented the majority of settlers in 2004-05, today the program comprises equal allocations for the Africa, Asia and Middle-East regions.”

 

The key areas of improvement identified in the reports include housing; education and training; health; mental health; and employment.  The report also identified the need for public sector improvement incorporating greater co-ordination of government services, improved data collection, cultural competency training, greater cultural diversity in public sector recruitment and language services.

 

Mr Castrilli said in order to capture the momentum of these initiatives, the Federal Immigration and Citizenship Minister had agreed to re-establish the Interagency Settlement Group to improve co-ordination between Commonwealth and State Government departments.  The group will meet three times a year and report to both Ministers annually.

 

Copies of the report are available on the website of the Office of Multicultural Interests at http://www.omi.wa.gov.au or phone 9217 1600.

 

Minister's office  - 9213 6800
Date: 25/08/2009
Minister: Castrilli
Portfolio: Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:19:56 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132396 Nominations sought for prestigious multicultural community service awards http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132368 Content:

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli today invited nominations for the 2009 Western Australian Multicultural Community Service Awards.

 

Western Australia has a higher proportion of people born overseas than any other State and is home to more than 200 cultural groups and nearly 300 languages.

 

Mr Castrilli said the awards were an opportunity to reflect on the success WA experienced as a multicultural society and the cultural, social and economic benefits the State has gained - and will continue to gain - from migration and settlement.

 

The awards acknowledge individuals and organisations achieving excellence and innovation in advancing multiculturalism through participation, equity and promotion.

 

The Multicultural Community Service Awards have three categories: Individuals, Organisations and a new category introduced this year, Business Migrant of the Year. 

 

This new award acknowledges an outstanding business owned and operated by a person from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) background and is a partnership with the Small Business Development Corporation.

 

“Recognising the importance of contribution to multicultural interests and citizenship is a way forward for the State,” the Minister said.

 

I look forward to presenting the awards at Government House in December and encourage all Western Australians to take this opportunity to support the dedicated individuals, groups and organisations advancing multiculturalism in our great State.”  

 

Nomination forms for the 2009 awards are available from the Office of Multicultural Interest’s website at http://www.omi.wa.gov.au or by calling the OMI on 9217 1600.  Nominations close on Friday October 30, 2009.

 

Minister's office  - 9213 6800
Date: 18/08/2009
Minister: Castrilli
Portfolio: Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Region: All
]]> Antartis, Jill Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:13:23 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132368 Ethnic organisations’ grants announced http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132073 Content:

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli today announced the successful recipients of triennial funding through the reinvigorated Ethnic Organisations Fund grant scheme.

 

Mr Castrilli said grant recipients would share $600,000 over three years to provide practical services to the State’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities.

 

“In May, the Office of Multicultural Interests announced the Ethnic Organisation Fund  would be relaunched as a contestable and triennially based grants round of $200,000 per annum for ethnic organisations to provide practical programs and much-needed services to Western Australia’s CaLD community,” he said.

 

The fund was previously a non-contestable, closed grant scheme.

 

Recipients and projects include:

 

·             Coalition for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees - ‘The Welcome Project’. Total Funding: $200,908 to link volunteers with refugees to support community integration through English literacy, housing, employment skills and home work support

 

·             The Edmund Rice Centre - ‘Language for Living in Australia Project’. Total Funding:  $150,000 to support the English literacy and employment skills of humanitarian entrants and deliver workshops to universities, colleges and schools to raise awareness of the benefits of multiculturalism

 

·             Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre – ‘Community Capacity Building for CaLD Communities’. Total Funding:  $249,092 to provide leadership and governance training for community leaders from CaLD backgrounds.

 

“This $600,000 investment in the multicultural community is a direct response to a request from the State’s CaLD community to fund practical and innovative programs for them to independently build capacity,” the Minister said.

 

“The reinvigorated Ethnic Organisation Fund is an overdue reform which ensures that Western Australia can invest in the best multicultural programs available.

 

“The fund is a partnership with the multicultural sector and the Office of Multicultural Interests will work closely with each organisation to ensure the success of these important programs.”

 

Minister's office  - 9213 6800
Date: 18/06/2009
Minister: Castrilli
Portfolio: Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:26:33 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132073 Funding for Integrated Service Centres http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132032 Content:

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli has announced that the State Government will provide $1.2million in funding for the next two years to ensure that the State’s two Integrated Services Centres (ISC) remain open.

 

During this time, the State and Federal governments would work together on a review of long term migrant settlement services for Western Australia.

 

The Integrated Services Centres were established in March 2007 by the Office of Multicultural Interests and administered in partnership with the departments of Education and Training, and Health.

 

Mr Castrilli acknowledged the advocacy of Riverton MLA Dr Mike Nahan, who has taken a keen interest in the centres’ future.

 

“Mike Nahan’s strong support on behalf of the people and communities that use the Integrated Service Centres should be commended,” he said.

 

“He has shown himself to be a local champion of issues in the community, after the former Labor government’s piecemeal approach to the ISCs by only funding them on a year-by-year basis with no specific plan for the future.”

 

The Minister said he had recently initiated an agreement with the Federal Immigration and Citizenship Minister, Senator Chris Evans, in the form of an Interagency Settlement Group of Federal and State departments to improve service delivery and fill gaps.

 

“The Interagency Settlement Group will be a vital forum for the future of settlement services in WA and I am very pleased that the Federal Minister has been open to greater co-operation between the Federal and State portfolios,” he said.

 

“I will continue working to improve settlement services and seek greater co-ordination with the Federal Government.”

 

“The State Government is committed to ensuring that humanitarian entrants receive settlement services which meet their needs and I am very pleased to announce this new funding commitment.”

 

Further information about the Integrated Service Centres can be found at http://www.omi.wa.gov.au/omi_isc.asp

 

Minister's office - 9213 6800

Date: 10/06/2009
Minister: Castrilli
Portfolio: Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:36:30 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=132032 Racially motivated violence against anyone will not be tolerated http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131991 Content:

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister, John Castrilli last night met with the Honorary Indian Consul to Perth, Mrs Sushma Paul and two Indian student representatives to discuss issues relating to publicised violent incidences involving foreign students.

 

Mr Castrilli said that the group was keen to express their concerns about the ongoing safety of international students studying in Australia.

 

“Everyone has the right to feel safe in the community, irrespective of their race, religion or creed,” he said.

 

“Racially motivated crime in Western Australia will not be tolerated.

 

“Violence against anyone is to be deplored; however, assaults and other criminal offences which are racially motivated are recognised by the law as being extremely serious.

 

“For example, common assaults committed in circumstances of racial aggravation attract a maximum penalty of three years rather than 18 months - double that which would have otherwise been imposed.

 

“There are also severe penalties for all forms of racial vilification under the Criminal Code, whether or not violence is involved.”

 

The Minister said that the Indian community in WA was the third largest in Australia, with 22,000 people of Indian ancestry residing in the State and a further 3,800 international students from India studying here. The number of Indian students in WA tertiary institutions had risen considerably in recent years and education was a vital part of the State’s bilateral relationship with India.

 

“The State Government is committed to ensuring that international students are valued and welcome in the WA community and that we collectively foster a safe, peaceful and prosperous environment for all Western Australians,” Mr Castrilli said.

 

“I have instructed the Office of Multicultural Interests to continue to work closely with the WA Police, to follow up any concerns and complaints that are received.

 

“The public at large will not tolerate malicious acts of these kinds and neither will the State Government.”

 

Minister's office - 9213 6800
Date: 4/06/2009
Minister: Castrilli
Portfolio: Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 04 Jun 2009 01:19:51 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131991 New multicultural strategic plan launched http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131962 Content:

Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli will tonight be joined by representatives from the State’s culturally and linguistically-diverse communities for the launch of the Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) 2009-2013 Strategic Plan.

 

Mr Castrilli said the plan’s vision of an inclusive and cohesive society drawing on its cultural and linguistic diversity to enhance social, economic and cultural development should be something all Western Australians strive to achieve.

 

“This strategic plan is about WA’s future. We are the most culturally diverse State in the country.  It is important that we have a dynamic plan which seeks to position cultural diversity as an asset to the State,” he said.

 

“The five-year plan identifies three key objectives - Participation, Equity and Promotion - and sets out a framework for OMI to work strategically with other Government agencies, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and the broader WA public.”

 

The Minister said throughout the plan’s consultation phase Western Australians of all backgrounds had told him they wanted Government services contemporary and flexible enough to meet the needs of all cultural and linguistically-diverse community members, delivered by staff, who were culturally aware.

 

“We have listened to the community and they have told us what they want, we are now delivering on that,” he said.

 

Mr Castrilli said the strategic plan would be reviewed and reported on annually, with the Office of Multicultural Interests being accountable for ensuring the objectives of the plan were realised.

 

“The strategic plan is a commitment to all Western Australians and represents a positive direction for the Western Australian community.

 

“The State’s culturally and linguistically-diverse communities should be aware that this Government is not about maintaining the status quo, but working with vigour and energy to meet their needs.”

 

The Office of Multicultural Interests 2009-2013 Strategic Plan can be found at http://www.omi.wa.gov.au   

 

Minister's office - 9213 6800
Date: 28/05/2009
Minister: Castrilli
Portfolio: Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Region: Eastern Metropolitan;Northern Metro & Perth CBD;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs
]]> Antartis, Jill Fri, 29 May 2009 00:28:59 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131962 Budget 2009-10: Building for the future http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131854 Content:

The State Government will help secure the State’s economic future by spending $117million in 2009-10 to support governance, infrastructure and capacity building initiatives in the local government sector.

 

Local Government, Heritage, Citizenship and Multicultural Interests Minister John Castrilli said this spending boost was in recognition of the key role that local government played in Western Australia.

 

“As a part of this year’s Budget, $100million of the Department of Local Government’s total $117million expenditure program will be directed towards the State’s 110 regional local governments through the Royalties for Regions Country Local Government Fund,” Mr Castrilli said.

 

“The funding for this and many other programs would not have been possible had it not been for the Government’s vigilant approach to financial management, with the Department of Local Government alone achieving a three per cent efficiency dividend with savings of more than $2million over the current and forward years’ forecast.”

 

The Minister highlighted the State Government’s plan to reform and actively engage with WA’s local government sector and to work in concert with it to secure their and the State’s economic future.

 

“The Liberal-National Government is pleased to announce that $2.5million per year for four years will be quarantined from the Country Local Government fund and directed to regional local governments to assist with governance, structural reform planning and capacity building measures, as well as additional Department of Local Government support,” he said.

 

“As the estimated cost of the overall structural reform measures would not be known until each local government returned its reform submission in August, a suitable appropriation, if required, would be made at a later date to offset future costs associated with the full physical implementation phase of the structural reform agenda.”

 

The State Government is committed to ensuring that the State’s multicultural and linguistically diverse communities are served in a positive, compassionate and economically sustainable manner.

 

“The State Government will make $848,000 available in 2009-10 and $3.4million across the forward estimates in discretionary funding to assist the State’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities as well as funding numerous citizenship initiatives,” Mr Castrilli said.

 

The Heritage Council of Western Australia plays an important role in ensuring that the past is preserved. The Liberal-National Government, through the Heritage Council, provides targeted grant funding to assist with this.

 

“In 2009-10, a total of $1million will be available to ensure that both local governments and private owners are assisted to continue their important work in protecting our heritage,” he said.

 

Measures include:

  • $700,000 to assist private owners to conserve their heritage-listed properties;
  • $100,000 for private owners, lessees, local government and community groups for special assistance or urgent conservation works to heritage places; and
  • $200,000 package to assist local governments in their heritage listing and protection work.

“Ultimately today’s decisions affect tomorrow’s outcomes. The Liberal-National Government is committed to ensuring that its first Budget puts WA on the path to underwriting our children’s future. I am confident that our economically credible approach will make this a reality,” the Minister said.

 

WA Budget statements are available at http://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au/

 

Minister's office - 9213 6800
Date: 14/05/2009
Minister: Castrilli
Portfolio: Heritage;Local Government;Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Region: Northern Metro & Perth CBD;Eastern Metropolitan;South Eastern Suburbs;South Western Suburbs;Western Suburbs;Kimberley;Gascoyne;Goldfields/Esperance;Great Southern;Mid West;Peel;Pilbara;South West;Wheatbelt
]]> Antartis, Jill Thu, 14 May 2009 07:59:49 GMT http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Lists/Statements/DispForm.aspx?ID=131854