Labor makes big promise to LGBTI Community
The LGBTI community will receive a major funding boost should Labor’s Linda Scott win the City of Sydney election.
Ms Scott has pledged $1.55 million annually for the LGBTI community.
“These funding increases are some of the largest ever promised for the LGBTI community and they target areas of specific need,” Ms Scott said.
Labor would establish a new $200,000 grant program specifically for LGBTI groups to apply for funding. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras annual grant would increase by $50,000 to an annual contribution of $250,000.
Labor has also committed a once-off $1 million grant to establish a Mardi Gras Museum and a permanent workshop space for floats.
The Aids Council of NSW (ACON) will have its annual grant almost doubled to $100,000.
In a press release, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Chair Pete Urmson said: “We are pleased with the broad commitments received from all sides of politics.”
The press release reveals no candidate will reduce the City of Sydney commitment to Mardi Gras.
ACON CEO Nicholas Parkhill said the organisation would welcome any available additional funding.
“[We] would welcome any increase in funding as further recognition of the needs of our communities and the significant contribution that a healthy GLBT community makes to the life and character of our city,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Clover Moore Independent team said: “The proposed Labor policy is based on an incorrect assumption – that Mardi Gras has to apply for funding every year.”
The spokesperson stated the City of Sydney will provide $452,000 to Mardi Gras in 2013 in cash and value-in-kind sponsorship. The City of Sydney also provides a LGBTQI project coordinator, grants to LGBTQI organisations and reduced rents for LGBTQI groups, with an approximate total value of $212,000.
The spokesperson also stated Ms Moore was “committed to working with Mardi Gras to help it achieve its aspirations of a Mardi Gras museum and permanent workshop space.”
But the increased funding is not without controversy.
Antony Pincombe, spokesperson for New ACT UP Australia (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power), was critical of ACON’s lack of funding on services.
“Our issues with ACON specifically are that they don’t provide enough services for people with HIV and that the services that they do provide have been taken away,” Mr Pincombe said.
Mr Pincombe said ACON needed to focus more of its funding on providing services.
ACON CEO Nicholas Parkhill said: “The biggest service delivery expense that we incur is the cost of employing our staff, without whom we would not be able to deliver our programs and services.
“The proportion of about two thirds of our operating budget being allocated to salaries is comparable to similar organisations providing similar services.”
ACON’s 2010/11 Annual Report shows that approximately 10 per cent of ACON’s $11.96 million expenditure was spent on programs, events and activities. $7 million was payed in salaries and associated costs.
