The Albanese Government is continuing to focus on social cohesion here in Australia, with funding granted to support young Muslim and Palestinian Australians and their family, friends and community impacted by the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The Government will provide new grants totalling $2.4 million to community services that support youth through culturally-informed youth services and pathways to positive community participation. Empowering young Australian Muslims locally is critical to building connections and tackling division, prejudice and hate.
The following community based organisations supporting young Muslim Australians are being invited to apply for these grants:
- Himilo Ltd
- UMA Centre
- Australian Multicultural Foundation
A further $2.6 million will be disbursed through one-off grants to Australian Palestinian-led community organisations who have the expertise and relationships to:
- provide community-driven approaches and flexible support packages; and
- support the social inclusion and participation of Palestinian Australians and their family, friends and community across Australia.
The following organisations are being invited to apply for these grants:
- Palestine Australia Relief & Action Foundation
- Palestinian Community of Western Australia
- Palestinian Christians in Australia
- Glimmer of Hope
Other opportunities for Palestinian and Muslim organisations to apply for funding projects remain under consideration.
This funding is in addition to the Government's $25 million commitment to support Palestinian, Muslim and Arab communities in Australia affected by the Hamas-Israel conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, including $2 million over two years to the Australian Red Cross to deliver emergency financial assistance.
More broadly, applications will be sought from late September for a $5.0 million open grant round to support organisations to further build social cohesion.
In October 2023, the Government announced initiatives across government totalling $87.8m over four years from 2023-24 to address the social cohesion impacts of this conflict. The initiatives focus on community safety, mental health and wellbeing support to affected communities, online safety, anti-racism and funding to community organisations and to support all impacted communities.
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill MP
"The distress Palestinian and Muslim Australians are feeling with the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict is profound, and the Albanese Government is committed to working in partnership with affected communities to provide support.
"This crucial support will go where it is needed most, as identified through engagement with Australian Palestinian, Muslim and Arab organisations and community leaders who are providing much-needed frontline services to communities.
"Australia continues to press for an immediate ceasefire, increased humanitarian access, the release of hostages, and to prevent regional escalation.
"At home, our focus is on providing support to all those who have been impacted, and to enhance and foster community connection during this devastating conflict."
