Thursday, 9 September 2021

Ms HUTCHINS (Sydenham—Minister for Crime Prevention, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support)

I rise to update the house on how the Andrews Labor government is using the power of community sport to help African-Australian young people reach their potential.

Yesterday the Member for Cranbourne and I joined the Casey Titans to announce funding of $20 000 for their team.

The motto of the Titans is that ‘Victory is certain’.

I heard that spirit loud and clear when they told me about how this funding will support them to engage young people in sports, dance, singing and run a homework club in partnership with AFMVICCARE.

We know that community clubs are about more than just sport.

Being part of a team changes lives. It builds skills and confidence, engages teens in school and connects them to their community, helping them stay on the right path.

And young people take these benefits into the rest of their lives.

This grant is part of $110 000 provided to six African-Australian-led clubs through our sports alliance for crime prevention, which funds projects to help keep young people away from the justice system and create brighter futures for themselves.

It is one of the many ways this government is helping address the root causes of crime.

I urge members of this house to encourage their local councils and community organisations to apply for our upcoming building safer communities grants, which open on 15 November. These grants will fund projects that address the causes of crime and keep Victorians safe.