Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 Chris COUZENS (Geelong) (14:39): (1505) My constituency question is to the Minister for Small Business and Employment. My question is: what assistance is being provided by the Victorian government to our growing multicultural communities, who need support to host gatherings and to create opportunities for inclusion and social connection in Geelong? Geelong West has a strong history of multicultural groups sharing their culture, and this is clearly evidenced at the annual Pako Festa with a parade of multicultural communities along Pakington Street. Pako Festa is the largest multicultural community festival and attracts thousands of people every year for its wonderful costumes, music, dance and food, and it is a celebration of our multicultural city. More so than ever we need to keep multiculturalism alive and strong and build on what we have by hosting more gatherings, more events and integrated art and create opportunities for inclusion and social connections, and Pakington Street is the place to do it. I look forward to hearing from the minister.