The Federal government has stalled in giving more than 400 community and multicultural groups, churches and charities across Australia funding, pending a review.
More than $4.5 million was allocated to be donated to the community groups under the ‘Building Multicultural Communities’ program.
The groups were offered the money in August, a month before the federal election, but now the funding is in doubt as the government seeks to review all pre-election grants.
In a statement, the Department of Social Services said it is “assessing all grant spending for consistency with government priorities and commitments”.
It says it will notify successful applicants once the review is complete if they will be receiving any funds.
Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Communities Guy Zangari said the government has forgotten multicultural communities.
“This funding freeze shows the Liberals don’t value multicultural groups and other community organisations doing important work,” Mr Zangari said.
“These organisations bring people together. They do the important work that governments can’t – and carry out heroic fundraising off their own bat.”
In the same program last year, the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW received $22,000 to renovate a kitchen in Long Day care centre in Petersham which caters for 58 people.
The Greek Orthodox Parish and Community of Burwood and District was given $43,888 to upgrade their courtyard.