PM Transcripts

~ AUSTRALIA,
FOR PRESS 19 AUGUST 1977
IMPROVED COMMUNITY INTERPRETER SERVICES
The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Malcolm Fraser, said today
that the Government had considered the report of an interdepartmental
working party on interpreters and translators which was tabled in
Parliament on 22 February 1977. The Government has decided
to provide an additional amount of $ 200,000 in 1977-78, in order
that further services may be provided in this area.
" The provision of. these additional funds is evidence of my
Government's c-oncern for the many migrants from non-English
speaking countries who experience difficulties because of
an inadequate knowledge of the English language", Mr Fraser aid.
The Telephone Interpreter Service, now operating successfully
in all.. mainland capitals, will be progressivel~ y introduced in
other centres, commencing with Wollongong this financial year.
A matter of particular concern is the need to improve arrangements
and facilities within Commonwealth departments to assist in
overcoming communication barriers with government clients.
Measures to be progressively introduced in Commonwealth
departments include the identification of jobs requiring
bilinqual staff, keeping records of the language skills of
departmental staff and the display of multi-lingual signs in
all public contact offices.
The Government. dill also be taking action to:
investigate the language needs of Aboriginals; and
examine ways in which services may be provided through
voluntary and ethnic organisations.
On tabling the report in Parliament, the Prime Minister said that
he had sent copies to the State Premiers and invited their comments.
Mr Fraser said he has written again to the Premiers to establish
joint Commonwealth/ State Working Committees. When established
these Committees will provide a means of identifying local needs
and coordinating the activities of the various agencies involved
in the provision of interpreting and translating services.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the Government was concerned
to improve interpreting and translating provisions to the extent
permitted by available resources. It was also necessary in a
period of financial restraint that action be taken to ensure that
any assistance provided was made available first -to those
most in need. This was particularly relevant in thc provision of
community interpreters at Government expense.
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