Fresh support for refugees seeking to develop their language and driving skills will be available after the state government pledged $1 million to refugee services.
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Parliamentary Secretary Sarah Courtney announced the funding at the Launceston Migrant Resource Centre, where Sudanese refugees Laiela Abdalla and her husband Siddig Ibrahim were celebrating Ms Abdalla successfully gaining her drivers’ licence.
Ms Courtney said the additional funding included $120,000 to the Migrant Resource Centre to support family reunion, and $40,000 over two years to the Centre’s driving lessons program.
Migrant Resource Centre chief executive Ella Dixon said funding was always needed.
“It’s absolutely crucial for us to receive additional funding, because we never quite meet the needs of the communities,” she said.
It’s absolutely crucial for us to receive additional funding, because we never quite meet the needs of the communities.
- Ella Dixon
“Every time a person comes in and is new to Australia they have to look at how to get to interviews and how to get to important appointments, so things like the driving program … are crucial for their settlement in Tasmania.”
