Tuesday, 20 February 2024

Ministers statements: multicultural and multifaith communities

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:26): I rise to update the house on the work that the Allan Labor government is doing to ensure our multicultural and our multifaith communities are supported and celebrated. Victoria is one of the most culturally diverse societies in the world, and as we know, our diversity is one of our greatest strengths. We do not just tolerate it; it is something we embrace. It is part of who we are as Victorians. We value the rich contributions our multicultural and multifaith communities make to our state to enrich our vibrant society, and there is much to be proud of.

On Saturday we saw the successful new year events in Box Hill and Footscray to wrap up our Lunar New Year season with a bang. This weekend the events continue, with vibrant street festivals celebrating heritage, tradition, music and food at the 36th running of the Antipodes Lonsdale Street Greek festival and the 45th Hispanic Latin American festival on Johnston Street. And in Geelong the Pako Festa continues the celebration of cultural diversity in the region. Last year the Pako Festa were recognised for their service to multicultural Victoria and were the recipients of the Premier’s Award for Community Harmony in 2023 at the Victorian Multicultural Awards for Excellence. Mosque open day also returns on Sunday and will continue to give Victorians opportunities to learn about our Islamic communities across 35 mosques across the state.

These events are all backed by government funding of more than $3 million, because the Allan Labor government understands the significance of supporting a Victoria that is fair, inclusive and safe for all of our culturally diverse communities, and now more than ever it is important that we continue to come together and celebrate our diversity as a community.