The Coalition Government continues to stamp out crime and improve community safety right around Australia, with an extra $50 million investment in the 2022-23 Budget in the highly successful Safer Communities Fund.
The additional funding will see Rockhampton benefit from $795,000 for practical community projects to keep locals safer, by diverting young people at risk from a life of crime.
The funding for MRAEL Limited for their CYCLE: Creating Youth Change and Leading Engagement is aimed to reduce youth crime and anti-social behaviour in Rockhampton by equipping youths with life skills and engaging them in the community through educational and vocational pathways.
Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Andrews, said the Coalition Government’s significant investment in the Safer Communities Fund was an important pillar of the Government’s approach to crime and justice.
“Safer communities are stronger communities. That’s why national security and crime prevention are part of the Coalition Government’s strong plan for the future,” Minister Andrews said.
“We’ve also increased the Australian Federal Police’s budget to more than $1.7 billion, and we’ve given law enforcement agencies important new powers to go after the criminal gangs and online networks targeting Australia.
“We know that backing community-led programs is just as important. Investing in organisations like MRAEL helps deliver real results – they’re uniquely equipped with methods to addresses the local community challenges.
“Our Government’s strong management of the economy means we can invest in practical community safety programs.
“In contrast, Labor ripped millions of dollars from our law enforcement and national security agencies. Only the Coalition Government can be trusted to keep Australians safe and protect our way of life.”
Nationals Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, said she was thrilled MRAEL is being supported by the Morrison Government.
“This project will target 48 at-risk youth, aged 13 to 16, in Rockhampton and will be able to access support services through a referral network,” said Ms Landry.
“I want to ensure there’s reduced youth crime and anti-social behaviour in Rockhampton and programs like this will greatly help the community.
“It is because of the positive difference they are making in young people’s lives that this funding is being provided.”
The project will be conducted through workshops over 18 months that focus on the following areas:
- Bike Building Workshops – Providing participants with the opportunity to build their own bike and in doing so, develop team work skills, practical work environment skills and motor skills.
- Life Skills Workshops – Focusing on emotional regulation strategies and how to maintain a healthy physical and mental state, these workshops will support participants to discuss and explore personal emotions, develop confidence and enhance their personal abilities.
- Job Readiness Workshops – Participants of eligible working age will be supported to identify post-program pathways and will participate in job readiness workshops. Participants not of eligible working age will be supported to identify further education or training pathways.
Only the Coalition has a plan to continue delivering a strong economy and a stronger future for residents of Capricornia.
More information about the Safer Communities Fund is available here.