SYDNEY INNER WEST SKILLS CENTRE INC RECEIVES GRANT
Joint Media Release
The Hon Brendan O'Connor
Minister for Home Affairs
The Hon Laurie Ferguson
Member for Reid
4 September 2009
Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor and Member for Reid Laurie Ferguson today visited Sydney’s Inner West Skills Centre to deliver funding of $318,003 for a program to help young people develop skills under the Australian Government’s Proceeds of Crime Act (2002).
“The Government is committed to ensuring money received through the criminal justice system is targeted at preventing crime and education and skills development can help ensure young people lead productive and valued lives,” Mr O’Connor said.
“The Inner West Skills Centre’s work helps young people, especially those from marginalised community groups, to achieve their potential across the areas of employment, training, welfare and youth services.
“Disadvantaged young people are over represented in youth crime statistics and this funding will provide educational, vocational and life education initiatives to help these young people stay out of the criminal justice system”.
Mr Ferguson said: “The funding recognises community need and the contribution this innovative local organisation is making to the futures of disadvantaged young people.”
The grant is one of a number to be made under the POCA Act (2002) provides money from assets confiscated under Commonwealth law to be returned to the community.
More than $6 million of funding under the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002) will be distributed to community groups for projects supporting initiatives in crime prevention and Indigenous prisoner throughcare.
“I will be making further announcements about other recipients in the near future,” Mr O’Connor added.
Media Contact: Christian Taubenschlag 0438 595 567
