Funding doubts force lay-offs by ethnic groups

LEADING ethnic groups have been forced to dramatically cut staff numbers and many have already started scaling back programs because the Premier’s department has not yet bothered to reveal next year’s grant recipients.

The Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW is one of the groups that will have to axe jobs because it is still waiting to hear whether the Community Development Grants Program, the responsibility of the Premier, Morris Iemma, will fund its programs.

Several positions at the council - including roles in its Newcastle and Illawarra offices - requiring a total outlay of about $150,000 have not been renewed. Other groups, which rely on the grants to fund administrative jobs, also have not renewed contracts.

More than 150 community groups - ranging from the African Communities Council to the Lebanese Community Council - were given grants this year but the Greens MP John Kaye said scores had been “left hanging” because of the Government’s tardiness.

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Funding doubts force lay-offs by ethnic groups
BrisbaneTimes.com