Media Release by Senator the Hon Anne Ruston

Waringarri Arts funded to continue building community and culture in Kununurra

Joint Media Release with:

  • Senator the Hon Anne Ruston
    Minister for Families and Social Services 
    Minister for Women’s Safety
    Manager of Government Business in the Senate 

     

    Senator Matt O’Sullivan 
    Senator for Western Australia
     

The Morrison Government is providing an additional $280,000 over two years to Waringarri Arts Aboriginal Corporation to reduce social harm and improve employment outcomes in Kununurra.

Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston said this program supported young people who were affected by family and domestic violence and who were at risk of self-harm and substance abuse or low self-esteem.

“Local solutions led by local leaders are central to breaking down barriers to employment and creating lasting change for the community,” Minister Ruston said.

“This program provides activities that promote and celebrate cultural identity and link at risk youth to cultural support with the aim of supporting the social and cultural wellbeing. 
 
“The Morrison Government is committed to working with groups like Waringarri Arts Aboriginal Corporation that are using innovative methods to achieve better outcomes for their community and act as a circuit breaker.”

Since 2016, the Commonwealth has committed $930,000 in total to the Waringarri Arts Aboriginal Corporation to run activities including youth justice and young men’s engagement workshops, youth and community nights and knowledge and art camps.

Minister Ruston and Senator for Western Australia Matt O’Sullivan will today visit the centre to learn about how this funding will help Waringarri provide after school activities and weekend cultural healing trips for vulnerable cohorts as well as consult on the rollout of the Government’s $30 million Job Ready Package.

“The Job Ready Package is being established across the four Cashless Debit Card sites to strengthen local support services and put participants on a pathway to employment,” Senator O’Sullivan said.
 
“Through the Package the Government will put in place additional support to uplift and upskill Cashless Debit Card participants to help them secure employment that is meaningful and long term.
 
“This may take the form of additional wrap around services to assist participants to stabilise their lives, courses to improve skills such as financial planning as well as specific training opportunities to ensure participants have the work skills to capitalise on employment opportunities that exist within the community.”