Faith groups can now apply for a share of $15 million to upgrade safety and security at their places of
worship thanks to the NSW Government’s Safe Places for Faith Communities Grants Program.

Under the program, grants of between $5,000 and $250,000 will be available for eligible groups to protect important sites where they gather, improve risk mitigation and build the social cohesion and
resilience of faith groups.

Funding can be used anywhere in NSW at eligible faith-based centres including places of worship, seminaries, religious museums, religious community centres, religious retreats and places of religious significance, including shrines, faith-based cemeteries or memorials.

This program has been developed in collaboration with key Government and faith stakeholders, as well as the NSW Community and Resilience and Response Plan (COMPLAN) Committee.

Successful grants recipients will also have the opportunity to join a Community of Practice to share knowledge with other faith groups and participate in workshops and information sessions aimed at
fostering interfaith collaboration on community safety and wellbeing.

NSW Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said “it’s important that all faith groups across NSW feel they can practice their beliefs in safe space.”

“NSW is the most successful multicultural and multifaith state in the world. This is a great point of pride, but it is also something that must be actively protected,” Mr Kamper said.

“This program delivers on our election commitment to our multifaith community and has been designed to promote community wellbeing and resilience, as well as interfaith harmony and social cohesion.

“We need to make sure that everyone, no matter their beliefs, feels safe in this state. We will continue to work with our multifaith communities to ensure this promise is felt.”

For further information about the Safe Places for Faith Communities Grants Program and to register for an Information Session, visit multicultural.nsw.gov.au/safe-places-for-faith-communities-program/

NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig today confirmed the immediate dismissal of Mayor Angelo Tsirekas from City of Canada Bay Council and his disqualification from civic office for a period of five years.

Minister Hoenig said he had considered the report from the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s (ICAC) Operation Tolosa and formed the view from the evidence contained in the report that Mr Tsirekas could no longer continue in office, as to do so would have impacted upon the public confidence in the integrity of the council.

Mr Tsirekas has been suspended from office since November 9 after ICAC found that he had engaged in serious corrupt conduct between November 2015 and February 2019 and recommended he be suspended.

“The immediate dismissal and disqualification of Mr Tsirekas is necessary to protect the public standing of the council, and local government generally,” Mr Hoenig said in a statement.

There are processes in place that will enable City of Canada Bay councillors to fill the now vacant position of mayor for the remainder of the council’s current term.

The potential prosecution or otherwise of a number of people mentioned in the ICAC report is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions.