Security grants extended to Jewish preschools
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and member for Melbourne Ports Michael Danby met with representatives from Australia’s Jewish schools and community leaders at Beth Rivkah Ladies College last Friday to discuss the Secure Schools program.
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and member for Melbourne Ports Michael Danby met with representatives from Australia’s Jewish schools and community leaders at Beth Rivkah Ladies College last Friday to discuss the Secure Schools program.
Roxon reiterated the federal government’s commitment to the program, which provides grants for security and safety upgrades for schools that could be the target of religious or ethnically motivated violence, pledging an additional $15 million over the next three years.
Importantly, the new round of funding will be extended to include preschool institutions.
The scheme has seen $20 million dolled out over the past four years, with around 60 per cent, or $12 million, going to Jewish schools.
Roxon said there would continue to be a “big focus” on Jewish schools.
“The sad truth is we’ve seen examples around the world of this and we’re not preparing for something there’s no risk of,” Roxon said.
“There should be a priority on making sure the young in the community are protected and the government has worked very closely, not just with Michael Danby, but with the Jewish community as a whole.
“We have to assess the risks and see what we can do to assist,” she said.
Danby said he was delighted with the extension of the program.
“The preschools are in the same position as the schools and it’s wonderful to have them be considered eligible together with the others.”
Community Security Group executive director Simon Glynn said the funds were necessary to provide safe havens for the community’s most vulnerable.
“Jewish schools have proven to be a target for terrorist attacks over a number of years. The most recent school attack, in which the children and a teacher were killed in Toulouse, shows the vulnerability of school buildings.”
Co-chair of the Australian Council of Jewish Schools, Nechama Bendet, highlighted the importance of capital funding for tight security measures, including bodyguards, fencing, CCTV cameras, alarms and bollards.
“The struggle for us is that if we use our existing school funds, it means we are taking necessary dollars from educational and student welfare, and that’s why the government supports us so well.
TIMNA JACKS
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