The Melbourne Holocaust Museum (MHM) in Melbourne is the latest beneficiary of election campaign spending, with the museum set to receive a $7,700 grant under the government’s Building Multi-cultural Communities Program scheme.
Funding for the grant has already been included in the budget and will help with the centre’s “many projects”, according to a release from the ALP. The Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Senator Kate Lundy, said the centre’s work was important to the Victorian community.
“Australia’s diversity is one of our greatest strengths and that is why the Rudd Labor government is proud to support organisations that promote cohesion and inclusiveness,” Lundy said.
Warren Fineberg of the MHM said the grant would help the centre continue to service the 21,000 students who visit the museum annually.
“This government grant will enable us to screen our extensive range of video production material on a large-format, purpose-designed screen, providing a significant improvement in viewing quality for the thousands of visitors to our upper level Smorgon Auditorium,” Fineberg told The AJN.
“We are grateful to the government for this [Department of] Immigration and Citizenship grant, and trust that in the future we will be supported to the extent that many other worthy community organisations and supported,” he added.
The centre is in the electorate of Goldstein, and Jewish Labor candidate in the seat Daniel Guttmann said he was delighted with the announcement.
“The Holocaust Centre has been an important source of education and support for the Victorian community,” Guttman said.
“I’m proud the Rudd Labor government has chosen to invest in the centre, which celebrates 30 years since its opening this November. It is an acknowledgement of the important role the centre places in our local community.”
By Adam Kamien
(Reprinted from the Australian Jewish News)
