The Andrews Labor Government is supporting self-determination by improving the community facilities of Aboriginal organisations across Victoria.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gavin Jennings today announced that two Fitzroy-based Aboriginal organisations will share in around $770,000 for capital works, upgrades and business case development.
Aboriginal Housing Victoria (AHV) has received almost $720,000 to redesign and expand the floor space in the head office to enable all metropolitan staff to be accommodated in one location – improving the experience for tenants accessing services and reduce their operating costs.
AHV is a not-for-profit organisation and the largest Aboriginal housing organisation in Australia, providing affordable housing to over 4,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Co-operative Limited (VAHS) has also received $50,000 to develop a business case for the establishment of a VAHS Satellite Clinic based on a service delivery model in Melton to deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal patients.
VAHS was established in 1973 and provides an extensive range of medical, dental and social services to support the wellbeing of the Aboriginal community.
The grants are from the second round of the Labor Government’s Aboriginal Community Infrastructure Program, which has invested $14.9 million to build new community infrastructure or to repair, refurbish or expand existing facilities.
Improving Aboriginal community infrastructure is fundamental to the pursuit of self-determination and social and economic development for Aboriginal Victorians.
The Labor Government acknowledges the right to self-determination and recognises that only when Aboriginal people are central to the decision-making processes that affect their lives, will sustained and long-term changes in health and wellbeing be achieved.
As noted by Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gavin Jennings
“This vital program is investing in community facilities to make the lives of Aboriginal Victorians better and support self-determination.”
As noted by Member for Richmond Richard Wynne
“Both the AHV and VAHS do a great job supporting Aboriginal families, and with this funding they can do even more to get better outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians and close the gap.”
