A major funding boost for interpreters will make it easier for new Victorians to pursue education and training, find a job and access health care, helping them settle more easily into the community.
The Victorian Budget 2017/18 will deliver $21.8 million to improve the state’s language services and meet the needs of our multicultural communities.
New migrants who choose to make Victoria their home can face many challenges, including barriers to communication – particularly when it comes to highly technical language.
This new investment will increase the capacity of the state’s interpreting industry.
The boost will help new migrants get access to education and training, find employment and understand important health care information, helping more Victorians contribute and belong.
The funding will also make translation services in regional Victoria more accessible, and provide more professional development and training for our interpreters.
It forms a key part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $42.8 million investment in the state’s cultural diversity.
The investment also includes $2 million to establish Victoria’s first fully funded Migrant Workers Centre to prevent workers being exploited through under-payments and poor working conditions.
The Centre will provide workers with information on their rights, wages and contracts and reduce worker exploitation.
A further $19 million will go towards the implementation of the Victorian. And proud of it campaign. Launched in February this year, at the heart of the policy is the Victorian Values Statement, which asserts the core values every Victorian is expected to uphold.
Victorian. And proud of it initiatives include:
- $450 000 to establish the Victorian Multicultural Ambassadors program
- $825 000 to set up Regional Engagement and Community Hubs in partnership with the Scanlon Foundation
- a $1 million anti-racism plan to address discrimination in areas like public transport and job recruitment
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott
“Boosting translation services is about ensuring all Victorians get equal access to essential services, as well as making it easier for new Victorians to settle and make their home here.”
“Every Victorian – regardless of where they were born or the language they first spoke – should be able to contribute and belong to our proud state.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020