Ms BURNET – Minister, this multicultural portfolio is really welcome from the multicultural communities and it’s wonderful and congratulations on being the first minister. I want to get a clear understanding, and perhaps you might take this on notice, of how much is actually set aside totally in the Budget for multicultural communities and your portfolio. I want to try to get an idea as to what sort of comparative percentage it might be to other jurisdictions across Australia.
Ms OGILVIE – It is a really good question. The reason it’s a great question is when you have a new sort of stand-alone area, working out what you’ve got in which areas for me has been a little, coming in fresh, having to get to the bottom of that. I think the answer is, we probably have some information, but I can’t get the answer on how we stack up against other states and territories. We would have to take that part on notice.
There is a little bit of complexity about it and that’s to do with that now having a standalone portfolio. If it is okay with you, we’re happy to take that on board.
Ms BURNET – Thank you. Yes, I will write that down in a moment. I am curious to know about the Homestay program which was delivered through the Migrant Resource Centre that provides temporary accommodation for recently arrived refugees, was another program I understand that wasn’t funded. Can you confirm why this was cut and whether the Government will look to it to re-fund?
Ms OGILVIE – Thank you, appreciate the question and it’s an area that I take a great interest in as well. My understanding is that it was also fixed-term funding, but I am advised that we will look at it again through the council. It’s not by any means a closed door.
Ms BURNET – Is it ceased for the minute? The funding has ceased for the moment, again, really vital. We don’t want to disadvantage communities that play a really important role in being embedded in Tasmania.
CHAIR – Thanks Ms Burnet. Mr Shelton.
