By Adam Coleman

A new funding program has been announced to support local governments and community groups in their efforts to tackle cultural, racial and religious intolerance.

Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson said the Diverse Australia Program will provide funding support to local groups and organisations to address issues specific to each community while promoting respect and fairness.

“Last year I asked the Department to take a fresh look at the previous Living in Harmony program which had been operating for ten years,” he said.

“I wanted to ensure we were taking the best possible approach to promoting the benefits of cultural diversity.”

According to Mr Ferguson, the funding is aimed at activities that bring Australians from all backgrounds together in a positive and productive way.

“A key element of the Diverse Australia Program is that it works with different levels of Government and community organisations to empower a local response to issues of racism and intolerance” Mr Ferguson said.

Harmony Day, which is administered by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and celebrated on March 21, is a key event in the new program.

“In 2009, I would like to see schools, community groups, local governments and business all get behind Harmony Day and make it the best day of celebration ever,” he said.

Race Discrimination Commissioner, Tom Calma welcomed the announcement of the new program.

“This announcement - on top of the government's re-institution of the Multicultural Advisory Council in December - embodies the participative process so necessary for the development of a successful multicultural policy.

“It also complements the government's social inclusion policy by recognising that racism is a major cause of social exclusion and the economic and social disadvantages that follow from it,” Mr Calma said

The new Diverse Australia Program includes:

• a small grants scheme of up to $5000 which will extend the reach of activities and help build the capacity of small organisations to address community needs; and

• ongoing year round funding, that can be made available to Local Governments, community and other organisations, to increase responsiveness to emerging issues of intolerance when communities identify a need.

For further information on the Australian Government's community harmony programs and Harmony Day 2009 click here.

Councils can also register events and order free promotional material at www.harmony.gov.au.