Media Release by The Hon Larry Anthony MP

Helping communities find local solutions to local problems

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, today welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister of more than $1.5 million for 16 new projects to support work in local communities across the country through the Australian Government’s Stronger Families and Communities Strategy.

“This funding brings the total number of local projects approved under the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy to 641 nationwide, worth a total of more than
$88 million. This includes:

  • 142 Early Childhood Programs ($28 mil)
  • 99 Parenting Skills Programs ($15 mil)
  • 51 Relationship Skills Programs ($7 mil)
  • 188 Mentoring and Leadership Programs ($23 mil)
  • 97 Community Building Programs ($7 mil)
  • 63 Volunteering Programs ($7 mil)

“Over the past three-and-a-half years the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy has been highly successful with projects giving families and communities the support and help they need.

“By June 2003, the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy has supported more than 600 services and programs, providing support and assistance to more than 130,000 people.

“Both national and community based projects have had wide-ranging geographic and demographic spread. Fifty-one per cent are in rural and regional communities, 25 per cent are in Indigenous communities, 22 per cent target youth, and 18 per cent provide pathways to jobs through volunteering and training.

“The success of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy relies on helping communities find local solutions to local problems. This means supporting local community organisations that are working at the grass roots level.

“The Stronger Families and Communities Strategy embodies the Australian Government’s commitment to the development of a social coalition; listening to communities and finding solutions that work,” Mr Anthony said.