Media Release by The Hon Dan Tehan MP

Empowering Norfolk Island women

Joint Media Release with:

  • Minister for Women, The Hon Kelly O’Dwyer MP

    Minister for Regional Development, Territories and Local Government, The Hon Dr John McVeigh MP

Women on Norfolk Island will receive free advice and training to help them plan for their financial future, along with training and mentoring to strengthen their roles as leaders in their community.

The Turnbull Government is funding the ‘In Charge of My Money’ program to educate around 60 women on basic money management, as well as a training and mentoring program provided for women and girls on Norfolk Island.

The financial literacy training will help women of Norfolk Island build their budgeting skills, learn strategies to avoid getting into debt, and be financially independent.

The training will give women the confidence to make informed and effective money management decisions.

The program will also make a positive difference to children, families, and the broader community, as the participants will be able to pass on their skills and knowledge.

Women’s Advocacy Group Norfolk Island (WAGNI) convenor, Eve Semple, said the grant will empower Norfolk Island women and youth, and give them choice.

“Increasing the financial literacy of Norfolk Island’s women and young people aged 14 to 17 is critical in increasing their ability to make good financial decisions. It will empower them through the rest of their lives, including importantly, their retirement,” Ms Semple said.

“Knowing how to manage things such as budgets, investments, loans and superannuation accounts is critical to our quality of life – whether we are just about to embark on our careers or have had many already.”

The Government is providing $15,000 to WAGNI for the ‘In Charge of My Money’ program, which will be delivered on Norfolk Island by Wesley Mission Sydney.

The Government is also investing more than $27,000 for the Australian Institute of Company Directors to deliver training and mentoring to assist women on Norfolk Island to have a greater impact on the wellbeing and governance of their community.

The Turnbull Government provides around $100 million a year to support vulnerable individuals and families at risk of financial crises to build financial resilience and wellbeing through the Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity.

For more information about Australian Government grants, visit www.communitygrants.gov.au