Federal Budget

Some interesting facts and figures from the recent Federal Budget which will affect migrants (all dollar figures to be paid over a 4 year period).

$123 million to fund the new citizenship test (resource booklets, DVD and setting up test centres etc).

Annual Humanitarian quota to remain at 13,000
$ 8.5 million to subsidise rental costs and public transport tickets in first month after arrival.
$12.2 million increase in funding for torture and trauma assistance.
$ 127.8 million increase in funding for provision of intensive English in schools. This DOUBLES the current allocation and is much needed (in 2005- 2006, some 42 per cent of humanitarian arrivals were of school age and they had an average of three years’ education).
A new program to support proposers of humanitarian arrivals ( $16.6 million).

Welcome back to Mary-Anne !