Diversitat takes on refugee contract

GEELONG group Diversitat has won a major Commonwealth contract to provide refugee and migrant resettlement across Victoria’s southwest region.

The Humanitarian Settlement Program contract was given to AMES Australia and its partner organisation Diversitat to work with newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers to help them on their way to becoming fully-fledged Australian citizens.

Assistant Multicultural Affairs Minister Zed Seselja launched the program this week, promising to increase the humanitarian intake of 16,250 places for 2017-18 to 18,750 places in 2018-19.

Senator Seselja said the new program merged existing settlement services into one streamlined effort, which could then provide support and case management based on each person’s needs.

Diversitat chief executive Michael Martinez said he was eager for the organisation to be involved with the program.

“Refugee settlement is an economic and social stimulator for Geelong,” he said.

“Our refugee communities have always played a major part in working hard to build this city and region — through their skills, life experience and abilities they bring a commitment to Australian citizenship and a love for community that cannot be matched.”

Diversitat planned to work with local governments and community groups to create the best outcomes for their new clients.

“The new Humanitarian Settlement Program contract also includes Complex Case Support and also has a stronger emphasis on employment, which we are very eager to engage with,” he said.

AMES Australia was also awarded the Commonwealth tender to operate the settlement program in South Australia and Tasmania.