Hundreds of multicultural community, religious leaders and representatives of peak bodies have attended a forum to discuss the NSW Government’s roadmap to freedom for the fully vaccinated, and deliver feedback on the response to the COVID outbreak.
Minister for Multiculturalism Natalie Ward hosted the online event, attended by 270 people, to continue to hear critical input about the needs of the multicultural community during the pandemic, and reinforce the importance of delivering crucial health messages.
“I cannot thank our religious and multicultural community leaders enough for their vital work since the start of the pandemic, and especially during this current lockdown,” Mrs Ward said.
“It’s fantastic to see our community respond overwhelmingly to the vaccination message. We need to keep our foot on the accelerator to get more jabs in arms, so we can return to doing the things we love and keep our communities safe.”
Leaders asked questions and shared insights about the vaccination rollout, the newly-announced roadmap to ease restrictions for fully vaccinated people once NSW reaches 70% double dose vaccination, mental health and financial supports.
“We place great value on important insights from our leaders, who know their communities best. We are working in partnership with them to respond with community-based and culturally appropriate supports and solutions,” Mrs Ward said.
The NSW Government recently announced a record $18.8 million emergency relief package for grassroots organisations to deliver vital support to vulnerable people in the 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of concern.
It’s also delivering a $6.25 million support package for temporary visa holders, especially asylum seekers, and is holding weekly news conferences with multicultural media.
More than 45 community forums have been facilitated by Minister Ward and Multicultural NSW, representing more than 4000 individual engagements with religious and community leaders. This has included forums with the peak migrant resource centres and forums with young people, community organisations and community leaders in western and south-western Sydney.