Tuesday, 30 May 2023

 Ryan BATCHELOR (Southern Metropolitan) (18:23): (253) My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for Small Business, and the action I seek is a request for more information on the multicultural traders precincts initiative, particularly the funding awarded in the recent state budget to establish the Jewish Arts Quarter in Elsternwick, which is in my electorate of Southern Metropolitan. The Jewish Arts Quarter in Elsternwick will stand as a testament to the artistic and intellectual achievements of the Jewish community. It will be a place where creativity will flourish in the spirit of innovation and expression will thrive. I am excited to see that the Andrews Labor government will commit an additional $2 million to build this vibrant community facility right in the heart of Selwyn Street in Elsternwick, bringing the total state contribution to $7 million.

Last week I visited the Jewish Arts Quarter to hear more about their plans for the site. The vibrant community will be not just a collection of buildings but a testament to the power of the arts to bring people together, to bridge gaps and to foster understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultures we have right here in Melbourne. The Jewish Arts Quarter will serve as a reminder that creativity knows no boundaries and that artistic expression has the ability to unite us all.

Furthermore, this year we acknowledge the 75th anniversary of Israeli independence, and it is particularly important to recognise the remarkable journey of the state of Israel and its people. In just 7½ decades Israel has become a thriving nation and a beacon of arts and innovation in the Middle East. The Jewish Arts Quarter will be a celebration of the Jewish journey from ancient traditions to the modern day and recognise their contribution to arts and innovation across the world.

Last year at the 2022 election we promised to build, upgrade and renovate community infrastructure for the Jewish community, and this budget delivers on those commitments. We are making sure that there are spaces in our iconic multicultural precincts to come together, celebrate and share in culture and tradition. I am excited to see what is to come for the Jewish Arts Quarter. I am proud to lend my support to the project and cannot wait to work with the community to continue the great tradition of Jewish arts and culture in the Southern Metropolitan Region.