The Filipino community across Western Sydney will receive a $100,000 funding from the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government if it is reelected. This was clarified by the office of Minister for Multiculturalism Ray Williams.
The funding will support the refurbishment of the Filipino Community and Cultural Centre hall in Blacktown.
Mr Ray Williams praised the leadership of the Filipino community in NSW for its efforts to support families and bring communities together.
“The community hall is a second home for hundreds of locals and plays an important role in hosting community events, youth and seniors programs,” Mr Williams said.
“It needs extensive works done so it can remain open to provide these programs, as well as be accessible for seniors and people with disability.
“Local communities across Western Sydney will benefit from being able to access this hall for their community functions and programs.”
Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said the funding demonstrated the NSW Coalition Government commitment to supporting multicultural communities.
“There are more than 100,000 Filipino Australians who call NSW home,” Mr Conolly said.
“Blacktown in particular has almost 30,000 Filipino Australians residing there, by far the largest number of Filipino residents in any local area.
“The Community Hall also hosts programs to support families and young people access necessary government and non-government supports in the area.”
However, on his Facebook post, former Philippine Community Centre NSW external VP Roberto Lastica questioned the government’s intentions.
“I hope that this is not simply a Liberal political grab by Minister Ray Williams and Kevin Conolly knowing it’s election time and the Coalition needs the community vote in Blacktown. This is a political scoop that will surely land in the pages of our local papers,” Lastica said.
“The sad reality is, the government is bound to lose and this is one funding commitment it cannot deliver,” Lastica added.
“I call on Labor Stephen Bali and Edmond Atalla to match this funding subject of course to the viability of the current premises,” said Lastica.
