The Goondir Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Health Services will receive more than $1.1 million under the Federal Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS) to deliver beneficial projects across the Maranoa electorate.

Maranoa MP Bruce Scott – whose huge electorate spans 43% of Queensland’s landmass – said the Federal Government was committed to supporting innovative groups like Goondir, which provides invaluable services across almost 160,000 square kilometres of his electorate.

“Over three years, the Goondir Health Services will receive $1,114,836 in Federal funds for three great, community-building projects,” Mr Scott said.

“These projects include a Big Buddy program to help mentor at-risk children and teens; establish a playgroup for young children in the Dalby region; and minimising drug and alcohol abuse by promoting community safety and wellbeing in Dalby, Jandowae, Surat, Tara, Chinchilla, Miles, St George, Dirranbandi and Thallon.”

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, said the Government’s investment through the IAS grant round had increased from $860 million to $1 billion, with 996 organisations to receive funding for more than 1350 projects throughout Australia.

“The increased investment through the grant round is the result of the Government honouring its commitment to provide longer funding agreements for important frontline services and ensure that any gaps that emerged as part of the round were filled as quickly as possible,” Minister Scullion said.

“This increased investment will help deliver on the Coalition Government’s key priorities of getting children to school and adults to work and making communities safer.”