Council reveals surplus

THE Multicultural Council of Tasmania says the State Government has not questioned the council’s ability to fulfil its $110,000 annual contract, but the Government maintains it is “seeking assurances” the council is able to do so.

Acting chief executive Raj Chopra said the council’s financial statements, showing a surplus of $10,000, would be made public at its annual meeting today.

“As acting CEO I can categorically state that the State Government have not asked questions of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, formally or informally, about our ability to fulfil our annual contract,” Mr Chopra said yesterday.

He said the council’s annual report was submitted to the Government’s Communities Department on Thursday, three days before the due date.

Mr Chopra said the Gov- ernment had only asked for information it asked of all organisations.

A Communities Department spokesman yesterday said: “The Department of Communities Tasmania received the MCOT annual report and audited financial report yesterday, and is seeking assurances from the council that it is able to fulfil its current obligations under its funding agreements with the Government.”

Mr Chopra said he also wanted to clarify the situation with staff members and board members leaving the organisation.

He said the previous acting chief executive resigned about three weeks ago and another staff member quit this week for medical reasons.

He said two board members had left because their terms had expired, and those vacancies would be filled at the council’s annual meeting today.

Mr Chopra said the Multicultural Council did not receive $50,000 to host the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia Congress in Hobart next year.

He said the funding went to the federation, and the Multicultural Council’s role in the congress would be voluntary.

The congress is expected to bring up to 700 delegates to Hobart in November next year.