Punjabi Association of South Australia

Mr TARZIA (Hartley) (14:22): My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Can the minister inform the house why the Punjabi Association of South Australia was unsuccessful in obtaining Grants SA funding from the state government this year?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:22): As members know, this government has committed threefold to multicultural affairs. We have increased the funding for grants for stronger families, stronger communities and infrastructure. We have reformed Grants SA and, every month, organisations—volunteer organisations, multicultural organisations—

Mr TARZIA: Point of order for relevance, sir. This is not related to the specific question we asked.

The SPEAKER: The minister I think is merely indicating that the total amount of multicultural grants has increased enormously, and I think that is germane to the question, so the member for Hartley is very fortunate that he is not departing. Minister.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: In the reform of Grants SA, what we wanted to do was simplify it and make it easily accessible for youth, volunteer and multicultural groups for them to apply.

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Schubert was called to order in the pre-lunch session. He is now warned, and I think he left our company yesterday.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: One of the key aspects of the reform was to make it very easy for what are traditionally volunteer associations, which is what multicultural functions are, to apply every month for grants. So, every month, you can apply for a grant up to $5,000, four times a year for a grant up to $20,000 and twice a year for grants up to $50,000. So there are many opportunities for the Punjabi Association to apply.

My understanding is that a decision was made on 17 October for the latest round of minor grants, so I don't know if they have applied for that, and they may well find out post that. Every month, people apply all through the period. I can take that on notice and check what decision was made—

Mr Gardner: The festival is on Sunday, Zoe.

The SPEAKER: The member for Morialta is warned for the second and the last time.

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON: That decision is made by members from Communities and Social Inclusion plus members from the SAMEAC, who review those applications every month.