Federal Member for Blaxland, Jason Clare MP has condemned the decision by the Abbott Government to take back about $150,000 that had been granted to the Bankstown Multicultural Youth Service (BMYS) to install a lift at its Bankstown City Plaza facility.
Under the previous Labor Government, $152,036 was allocated from the Building Multicultural Communities program to make the first floor facility safer and more accessible to the public.
“This again just shows that Tony Abbott doesn’t get it.
“By cutting this money, young people with mobility issues, as well as mothers with prams will be unable to access services at the Youth Centre,” Mr Clare said.
BMYS Manager Mary Malak said, “We were absolutely gutted to hear that this funding was taken away from us.
“We were counting on this money to make the centre more accessible and safe for all our clients.
“Without a lift funding for other projects will also now be placed at risk because Government Departments require we deliver services from accessible premises.
“With over 2,500 young people using the facility each month, funding was also going to be used to fix the poor lighting and to install a much needed hot water system,” Ms Malak said.
Media Contact: Chris Zogopoulos 02 9790 2466
