NATIONAL FUNDING BOOST TO SUPPORT MIGRANT AND REFUGEE FAMILIES

Minister for Families and Social Services Paul Fletcher today announced the locations of 32 new Community Hubs to benefit hundreds of migrant and refugee families in local communities across Australia.  

The communities identified for a hub will share in $20.4 million of funding to establish the 32 new hubs funded under the 2019-20 Budget. This builds on the existing 68 Community Hubs supported, and will bring the total number of Community Hubs the Government supports to 100 across the country,

“The Community Hubs Program has been supported by the Liberal National Government since 2014 and has a proven track record in helping migrant and refugee women and their young children navigate daily life in their communities to set them on a pathway to participation and employment,” Mr Fletcher said.

The 32 new Community Hubs will be established according to Local Government Areas (LGAs) identified as experiencing strong increases in migrant and refugee settlements. The new hubs will be located as follows:

·         Eight Hubs in Wanneroo and Stirling, Western Australia;

·         Five Hubs in Casey, Victoria;

·         Five Hubs in Wyndham, Victoria

·         Five Hubs in Brisbane, Queensland;

·         Three Hubs in Townsville, Queensland;

·         Three Hubs in Rockhampton, Queensland; and,

·         Three Hubs in Playford, South Australia.

Minister Fletcher said the Hubs will be based in schools and community centres to create spaces for migrant and refugee women and their young children to learn English, develop new skills, find employment, integrate and access programs and services provided by governments.

“These Hubs will be deliberately concentrated in specific communities where we are seeing an increase in the number of migrants settling. This is designed to ensure that the local community is fully resourced to welcome migrant and refugee families and provide the necessary support programs to assist them in engaging with the community,.” Mr Fletcher said.

In 2018, more than 5,300 families attended hub activities across the country each school term. Over the year, there were more than 31,000 attendances at children’s language and literacy programs, more than 21,000 attendances at formal training and almost 10,000 attendances at informal training sessions across the Community Hub network.

Community Hubs Australia (CHA), in partnership with the Scanlon Foundation, delivers the National Community Hubs Program to roll out this initiative over the coming year. 

Dr Sonja Hood, CEO of Community Hubs Australia, welcomed the additional support from the Morrison Government. 

“Over the past decade, hubs have made a significant difference in schools and communities across Australia. We are delighted that this announcement secures the future of our existing hubs, as well as expanding the program into new communities.”

The specific location of the hubs in each Local Government Area will be determined in consultation with the local government, settlement service providers, school principals and local organisations.