NSW GOVERNMENT ENSURING LEPPINGTON FAITH COMMUNITIES ARE SAFE 27 MAY 2024 (See translation in Arabic section) Sydney - Middle East Times Int’l: faith communities are set to benefit as the NSW Government delivers on its promise to ensure places of worship across the state are safer and more secure with through the Safe Places for Faith Communities Program. The following organisations have received funding as part of the first round of the program: • St Rafqa's Maronite Catholic Parish received $22,940.00 for their Project Protect • Al-Saeed Educational and Welfare Trust received $48,000.00 in funding to a Security Infrastructure upgrade The program is an election commitment and is part of a wider $15 million pledge over four years. It was developed in consultation with faith and religious groups and experts across the state, as well as Multicultural NSW’s Community Resilience and Response Plan (COMPLAN) Committee. The program takes a resilience-based approach to safety and security by supporting prevention, preparedness, response and recovery measures at places where faith communities gather. NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said: “We know that everyday thousands of people right across NSW gather in their houses of worship or significant religious centres. “We all have the right to feel safe, wherever we may journey to in our daily lives. These grants provide a much-needed boost to help keep community safe and secure when they their local faith centres.” Nathan Hagarty MP, Member for Leppington said: “The people who live here in Leppington have shown their commitment to their faiths and we’re proud to be committing to their safety too. “This investment will have lasting impacts for generations and I’m proud to play my part in bringing about positive outcomes for the many faith and religious communities in Leppington.” |