Wednesday, 4 October 2023

Ministers statements: Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:19): I am really proud to make my first statement to this house as Minister for Multicultural Affairs. The Allan Labor government is working with our proud multicultural communities right across Victoria to make this state stronger, safer and a fairer place, and this is why yesterday I announced that the Allan Labor government will invest more than $16 million to continue supporting community organisations through the Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund. Grants of up to $400,000 are available for organisations to build or upgrade their facilities. A dedicated stream of grants is available for Victoria’s Chinese, Greek, Indian, Italian, Islamic and Lebanese communities, along with a stream for all other multicultural community groups. This fund also includes grants to support community organisations to undertake research to establish multicultural museums.

Thanks to previous grants awarded through this fund, the Korean Society of Victoria in Oakleigh, the Samadhi Buddhist Meditation Centre in Campbellfield and the Ballarat Croatian community centre, amongst so many others, now have upgraded spaces where the community can gather, build connections and celebrate traditions. In total since 2014 this government has delivered 386 new spaces for multicultural communities to enjoy through an overall investment of $52 million, and I am incredibly proud of that contribution and that support. In Victoria our diversity is one of our great strengths. We value the immense contribution that multicultural communities make to our state, and we know how important it is for communities to have a dedicated, safe and accessible place to share culture, foster friendships and build a sense of belonging.