Social Cohesion Research Funding: too slow and too late for some

Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Inga Peulich

Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Inga Peulich, has described the Andrews Labor Government’s announcement of a $500,000 Social Cohesion Research Grants Program as too slow and too late.
Ms Peulich said the Victorian community was facing some real challenges with social disquiet following the Moomba Riots, protests over mosques, assaults and robberies of international students and tourists, and that action was required now, not in another year’s time.
The grants announced come a year and a half after the Andrews Government was elected, with research to be completed in another 12 months, and then decisions taken on implementation.
Last week in Parliament Ms Peulich called for the establishment of a multi-agency taskforce to develop a comprehensive response to the CBD riots and the complex problems they expose.
A strategy should already have been developed and action taken months ago to quell the crime spree, to protect international students and tourists, and to support families experiencing challenges in raising children and teenagers in a different culture.
Quotes attributed to Inga Peulich MLC, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs:
“This Social Cohesion Research Funding timetable is too slow to deliver help that is needed now.
“The Minister for Multicultural Affairs should have established a multidisciplinary taskforce months ago.
“With so many issues emerging, slow help is no help.
“The community has seen real issues like the Moomba Riots, yet the Andrews Government has done nothing for a year and half, and say they’ll do research for another year before they consider taking action.
Further Information Contact: Inga Peulich MLC (03) 9772 1366