$5.2m to upgrade security
'This significant investment by the Morrison government will go a long way to supporting the safety and security of our local Jewish community'.
THE federal government has rolled out more than $5.2 million in funding for security at 12 Melbourne Jewish organisations under the latest round of its Community Safety Grants initiative.
The grants, which are awarded under the Safer Communities program, provide funding to address crime and anti-social behaviour through the implementation of crime prevention and security projects.
The 12 groups that successfully applied for the grants are Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, Yeshivah-Beth Rivkah Colleges, Mizrachi, Gandel Besen House, Cheder Levi Yitzchok, Beth Weizmann Community Centre, Jewish Museum of Australia, Caulfield Hebrew Congregation, Emmy Monash Aged Care, Leibler Yavneh College, Hamerkaz Shelanu and its Lamdeni School.
The funding will cover upgrades such as installations of CCTV cameras, deterrence measures, improved lighting, boom gate and fencing solutions, and upgraded intercom and alarm interfaces.
Yeshivah-Beth Rivkah Colleges were awarded $873,000 for a security upgrade that includes fencing, security doors and an evacuation and lockdown system. Leibler Yavneh College received $853,760, Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, Caulfield Hebrew Congregation and Gandel Besen House were each awarded $450,000, closely followed by Cheder Levi Yitzchok which received $448,697, and Emmy Monash Aged Care with $412,118.
Beth Weizmann Jewish Community Centre was awarded $411,525 for its milestone security upgrade which includes external blast-proofing windows and installation of bollards. Hamerkaz Shelanu received $296,325, Mizrachi $295,200, Lamdeni School $213,921, and the Jewish Museum Australia $71,759.
Senator James Paterson, who is patron senator for Macnamara, said the new funding “will help fund practical security solutions developed by the Jewish community to protect religious and cultural institutions”.
It’s unfortunate that the Jewish Community needs this security but it’s a harsh reality. Thanks to the Morrison Government and @TimWilsonMP @SenPaterson for recognising this need. @aus_jewishnews https://t.co/FWvx7DBgSc
— David Southwick MP (@SouthwickMP) June 30, 2020
He added, “Sadly, we know the Jewish community faces growing antisemitism around the world and Australia is not immune.”
Liberal Member for Goldstein Tim Wilson said, “When Australians of faith are harassed, the foundations of our free society are also threatened. These funds are crucial in ensuring the safety and security of our local Jewish community.”
Caulfield MP David Southwick added, “This significant investment by the Morrison government will go a long way to supporting the safety and security of our local Jewish community.”
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