Thursday, 13 November 2025

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:07): I rise to update the house on how the Allan Labor government is building a stronger, fairer and more inclusive health system for all Victorians. Every Victorian deserves health care that is safe, respectful, culturally responsive and inclusive, no matter where they are born, what language they speak or the community that they belong to. Yet for many of Victoria’s multicultural communities, navigating the healthcare system can be confusing, frustrating and intimidating. On Tuesday I was proud to announce the Victorian Multicultural Health Survey at the National Multicultural Health and Wellbeing Conference. This survey gives Victorians from multicultural communities a direct and meaningful way to share their experiences and suggest practical solutions to make our health system stronger, fairer and more inclusive. Feedback will be collected through the Engage Victoria online platform, community forums and consultation with key organisations. Survey insights will guide the future of Victoria’s health system and inform the upcoming multicultural strategy, a key commitment following Victoria’s multicultural review. The survey builds on the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and the recently released diverse communities mental health and wellbeing framework and blueprint for action. The survey will open in early 2026, and I encourage all Victorians from multicultural communities to have their say. Your voice matters, your experiences matter, your ideas matter and you matter.