Tuesday, 30 May 2023

 Michael GALEA (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (18:16): (250) My adjournment matter is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs in the other place. The action that I am seeking is for the minister to update the house on the support given to the Tamil community in the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region and across Victoria. The south-east is home to many in the Tamil community; they are a vibrant and integral part of my electorate. They are an active community that hold many cultural events that bring the community together and extend that culture to the broader community. I am glad to see the culture and tradition of Tamil Victorians being kept so strong, with 32,000 Victorians speaking Tamil language at home.

In the Victorian state budget the Andrews Labor government provided $400,000 to support the Tamil Festival Australia. One hundred thousand dollars per annum from 2023 to 2026 will help to deliver this fantastic event, a much-anticipated event for the community and one I look forward to on my calendar. I had the pleasure of attending the Tamil Festival Australia this year, on 22 January, one of the first events I attended after being elected to represent the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region. It was fantastic to have a chance to speak at the festival, along with my fellow guest speakers.

I would like to thank Sivasuthan, Siva, for extending an invitation to the event and everyone who made me feel welcome and made the fantastic festival a success. The festival was alive, from the stalls, performances, dancing, music, cultural programs, exhibitions and workshops to the community Pongal. The funding provided in this budget will go a long way to keeping this festival as extensive and successful as it was this year. I was taken aback by the massive turnout to the festival this year, and I look forward to a repeat success in 2024.

In acknowledging the $400,000 in funding for the Tamil Festival Australia, I repeat that the action that I am seeking is for the minister to update the house on the support being given to the Tamil community in the South-Eastern Metropolitan Region and across Victoria.