Albanese Government backs First Nations youth project in East Arnhem Land
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The Albanese Labor Government is helping build strong and resilient communities across Australia, including the Northern Territory.
Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, based in six remote communities and Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem, will receive $360,000 to expand the Djamarrkuḻi’wu Mulka project, which supports First Nations youth aged 12 to 18 years.
The project is one of 34 that is sharing in more than $10.3 million under the Strong and Resilient Communities Activity – Inclusive Communities grants round.
Assistant Minister for Social Security, Ageing and Women, Kate Thwaites, met with the organisation to hear about the Yolŋu-led project which aims to equip djarmarrkuli – young people – to make good decisions and improve health and social outcomes in communities across East Arnhem Land.
The project, designed and funded to date by the Miwatj Health Board, was piloted by Miwatj Health in Yirrkala, has expanded to Galiwin’ku and will now further expand to communities including Gapuwiyak, Miliŋimbi and Ramiŋiniŋ.
Assistant Minister Thwaites said, “The Albanese Labor Government is proudly supporting organisations to deliver programs in their local communities, including Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation.
Miwatj Health is an organisation that understands the needs of the communities it works with, and through this Yolŋu-powered project will be tailoring specific activities to each community, ensuring youth are engaged in ways that are relevant to them.
Since 2022 our Government has invested close to $45 million in supporting strong and resilient communities across Australia.”
Marion Scrymgour MP said, “I congratulate Miwatj on the success of this grant application and I am confident the funds will be directed to areas of greatest need in delivering maximum benefit for the communities.”
“Investing in our youth is the single most powerful way of tackling disadvantage and building Australia’s future prosperity. This project is well placed to help some of our most vulnerable young people, at a time when they need it the most”.
Related:Â Funding for parenting support programs for rising youth crime rates
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the 34 successful organisations would deliver targeted services to help build capacity at a local level.
“Our Government is committed to building strong and resilient communities, and to helping Australians who need extra support,” Minister Rishworth said.
“To build stronger and more resilient communities we need to invest where there is the most need and the opportunity to make the biggest difference to the future of community members.”
“We know that the successful organisations are well placed to help some of our most vulnerable, including young people, people with disability, unemployed people, First Nations Australians and women.”
The funding builds on the Labor Government’s record to help Australians with cost of living relief, including:
- providing every Australian taxpayer a tax cut
- increasing Commonwealth Rent Assistance for nearly one million households
- boosting funding for emergency and food relief services, along with financial counselling
- extending the freeze on deeming rates for 876,000 income support recipients.
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