Thursday, 4 December 2025

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:07): It is that time of the year when we all come together with our families, our friends and our communities to share in the values that we all cherish. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths here in Victoria. It is part of what it means to be Victorian. Our multicultural communities are hardworking and generous, even in the face of adversity, or often hate from other parts of the community, sadly. It is not just through our words that we show this but in the decisions that we take as a government. That is why I am very proud that this year the Allan Labor government has supported over 500 multicultural community groups to deliver community festivals and events celebrating their culture with every Victorian. This is over $5 million in support this year alone, and it means that every weekend – in fact some weekdays as well – our multicultural communities are gathering together and sharing their faith and tradition, their music, their food and dance with every Victorian. I have had the absolute pleasure of attending many of the events that we have supported over the last 12 months, whether it was $20,000 for the Wyndham Holi Festival run by the Victorian Cultural Association, nearly $30,000 for the Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association’s Thrive festival or $26,000 for the Shepparton Albanian Society’s Harvest Festival – one of my favourites. Each were fantastic celebrations of the vibrancy and traditions that our migrant communities have brought to every corner of Victoria and a strong reminder that no matter your background or who you pray to, here in Victoria everyone belongs.