(1)   In respect of the Minister’s foreword to the Settlement Grants Program Discussion Paper 2005 which states “These recommendations were endorsed by Cabinet, and the Government is committed to their implementation”, what role will written and oral submissions play in any further development of the policy.

(2)   Does the statement in the discussion paper that the provision of information will continue to be funded, mean that (a) Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) will be able to provide DIMIA forms to clients and (b) MRC staff will be able to assist clients to access the DIMIA website or other online services on the MRC premises; if not, what other provisions is the Government making for clients who require these services.

(3)   Does the Minister expect, and will the Government provide for, a significant increase in the number of approaches to Federal Members of Parliament on immigration matters if restrictions on funding for the provision of immigration-related services are enacted.

(4)   Can the Minister say which bodies will be able to initiate and participate in multicultural events and festivals whose purpose is to improve the social environment for newly arrived communities when such activities are no longer funded by the Government.

(5)   What quality assurance mechanisms will be put in place to ensure the accuracy of settlement needs data to the department.

(6)   Can the Minister explain how migrants in regional and rural areas will be able to access migration advice and translation services when the MRCs are not funded to provide these services, especially in areas where other providers of these services do not exist or are difficult to access.

(7)   In respect of the suggestion in the discussion paper that the provision of migration advice might be replaced by other funding programs such as the Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme, can the Minister explain how clients seeking to apply for visas to enable family members to join them in Australia will access assistance when the Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme is available to the direct applicant only and does not assist with the sponsorship of family members under the special humanitarian program.

(1)   The Settlement Grants Program Discussion Paper was released on 6 April 2005 to generate input on the implementation of the new Settlement Grants Program. Community consultations were held in all capital cities in April and May and written submissions were accepted until the end of May 2005. Input from the consultations and written submissions will inform the further development of the new program, with a final policy paper to be released in August 2005. (2)   (3) (6) and (7) The issue of funding of migration advice and information was raised at the community consultations and featured in a number of written submissions. I will give the matter careful consideration when deciding on the final parameters of the new program.

(2) (3)   (6) and (7) The issue of funding of migration advice and information was raised at the community consultations and featured in a number of written submissions. I will give the matter careful consideration when deciding on the final parameters of the new program.

(4)   Settlement Programs currently administered by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs do not fund multicultural events or festivals. The new Settlement Grants Program is consistent with current policy.

(5)   A variety of stakeholders will have input into the settlement needs-based planning process on an annual basis to identify settlement priorities for the region. Settlement priorities for the first round of the new Settlement Grants Program will be made public, and inform the advertising of the grants program, in October 2005. Making public the priority needs in this manner on an annual basis will make the needs-identification and grants application process more consultative and transparent for the settlement services sector. The annual needs assessment will ensure regular input from the sector and other service agencies to identify changing settlement patterns and needs. Performance indicators will be measured by client outcomes from settlement services measured through program evaluations and surveys and advice from relevant government agencies.