New funding for Koori community safety initiatives

Victorian Attorney-General Robert Clark today announced the Baillieu government would provide funding totalling $580,000 to support crime prevention initiatives aimed at enhancing community safety and reducing crime in Koori communities around the state.

Speaking at the 29th meeting of the Aboriginal Justice Forum in Creswick, Mr Clark said applicants could now make submissions for grants under both the Community Initiatives Program and the Frontline Youth Initiatives Program.

“These grants support innovative programs developed at the community level which aim to reduce contact between Koori youth and the criminal justice system, as well as frontline projects focused on engaging Koori youth in socially positive and physically healthy activities,” Mr Clark said.

“Projects funded under the programs are typically delivered with significant support from community volunteers and have included mentoring schemes, homework assistance and language and arts programs, as well as annual sporting competitions between local police and Koori youth to help foster more positive relationships.”

Mr Clark said the grants funding aimed to reduce the number of young Koori people becoming caught up in the criminal justice system.

“The projects funded by these grants are grassroots initiatives developed by local communities as their own solutions to locally-identified needs, often using local community expertise and resources,” Mr Clark said.

“All too often, Koori youth who come into contact with the justice system end up in a revolving door of recidivism. Supporting community-based initiatives like these is one way the government is working in partnership with Koori communities to provide a better way forward for young people who might otherwise become caught up in the criminal justice system.”

Mr Clark said grants would be awarded following an assessment and endorsement process including consideration and support by the local Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (RAJAC) and endorsement by a statewide committee with both Koori and departmental representatives.

The endorsement, assessment and approval process aims to have projects commencing in October this year.