[Greens-Media] Multicultural Centre or arm of Government?

[Manderson, Roland]

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ACT GREENS MLA DEB FOSKEY MEDIA RELEASE
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19 July 07

Multicultural Centre or arm of Government?

Greens MLA Deb Foskey today expressed concerns that the relocation of
the Act Office of Multicultural Affairs to the Theo Notaris
Multicultural Centre suggests that the building has not delivered the
vitality the multicultural community might have hoped for.

"It makes sense to fill up empty spaces in the Theo Notaris Centre with
activities related to the various multicultural communities, but I am
not sure that relocating the government office responsible for funding
those organisations really fills the bill" said Deb Foskey today.

"I am concerned that occupation of the Centre by the funding body might
work against plans for increased community use, and result in the
facility's use reflecting the Department's - rather than community -
priorities."  
 
"I fear that this raises issues of conflict of interest and would like
to see the measures that will be put in place to mitigate against this."

"I have been advised that the Centre lacks the vitality hoped for when
the refurbishment began because, although there is office space for many
community organisations, most are not funded adequately to staff them."

"Like so many community organisations, they rely upon volunteers and
very part time staff to do the work. That is why many offices sit empty
for part of the week."

"And while the Children's Room was a good idea, it is hardly used
because family groups and women with children do not yet see a lot of
reason to visit the centre. The prayer room is also rarely used for its
purpose, although again, it seemed like such a good idea at the time."

"I hope that the relocation of the Office is a short term measure, and
that while Government officials are there they consult with ethnic and
multicultural organisations about ways that the Centre can draw in more
people and activity."

"For instance - staffing the children's room for specified periods and
working with women's organisations to hold events to bring mothers
together; extending the work of the Family Relationship Centre to
encourage people to come through the Centre; and organising activities
to bring groups together on a regular basis."

"While the Office is there, it might bring young people in and ask them
if there are ways that they can use the space too."

"That way the relocation of the Multicultural Office would assist in
building community among multicultural organisations, which in my view
is a major part of its job," said Dr Foskey.

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Roland Manderson   Media Advisor
ACT   Greens    MLA  Deb  Foskey  
Legislative Assembly for the ACT 
ph(02)62050551      m 0412241379
==== www.act.greens.org.au ===== 
  
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