Undermining Social Cohesion: funding should build bridges, not deepen divides

Millions in taxpayer-funded grants intended to foster unity are instead given to groups with connections to extremists

The federal government’s $25 million social cohesion grants aim to unite Australians by addressing racism and hatred. However, evidence indicates that some of these taxpayer funds have been allocated to groups that may be promoting division and extremism, rather than fostering unity.

In 2024, the government announced this funding package to support social cohesion. By September, $16.84 million had been distributed, with another $5.6 million under review. Notably, about $7 million was awarded without open applications or clear criteria, raising concerns about favouritism and inadequate vetting.

Senator Patterson raised concerns that some grant recipients have been linked to activities that contradict the program’s objectives. For instance, the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) received $1.65 million but co-hosted a rally with Hizb ut-Tahrir, a group known for extremist views, and ‘elation’ about the October 7 terrorist attacks upon Israel by Hamas.

Another organisation, United Muslims Australia (UMA), also received $1.65 million. UMA has been associated with Sheik Ibrahim Dadoun, who reportedly celebrated the October 7 attacks during a public rally at the Sydney Opera House where attendees burned flags and chanted “gas the Jews”. 

The Palestinian Christians in Australia (PCIA) received $525,000 despite sharing posts on social media that denied Israel’s right to exist and compared Zionism to Nazism; this is the ultimate insult to the Jewish people and is in fact is a complete inversion of the reality that the grandfather of Palestinian nationalism was in fact a close companion of the Fuhrer. Such rhetoric is deeply offensive to the Jewish people and spreads division and contradicts the principles of social cohesion.

Allocating funds meant to promote unity to groups that may be spreading extremism has serious consequences. It erodes public trust in government programs and makes minority communities, particularly Jewish Australians, feel targeted and unsafe. Instead of fostering connection, this misuse of funds deepens divisions and undermines Australia’s core values of respect, compassion, and equality.

To prevent future misuse, immediate reforms are necessary. All grant applicants should undergo thorough background checks, including reviews of their public statements and affiliations. The government must enhance transparency by publishing clear eligibility criteria and a list of recipients. Involving diverse community leaders in the selection process can help ensure that funds genuinely foster unity. Additionally, accountability measures should be implemented to revoke funding from groups found to promote hate or division.

Social cohesion grants should build bridges between communities, not deepen divides. When these funds support extremism, they fail to achieve their purpose and jeopardize the values that bind our nation together. This situation calls for Australians to demand better oversight and accountability for public spending.

Now is the time to act. Share this message, contact your local representatives, and help ensure these grants are used to create a stronger, more united Australia