Dental care pledge takes centre stage at Victoria’s multicultural gala; Political leaders unite with multicultural communities ahead of November poll.
MELBOURNE, 22 August 2026: The battle lines for Victoria’s November election are being drawn, and the Premier’s Multicultural Gala Dinner 2026 was no exception.
Addressing more than 1,000 people at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Premier Ben Carroll announced that his government would establish 10 free dental clinics if re-elected in November.
The announcement comes as One Nation and the Coalition make gains in opinion polls, while Labor faces the usual challenges of incumbency.
Dental care is not covered by Medicare and can place significant pressure on household budgets, particularly as the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect communities. Whether the pledge will improve Labor’s electoral prospects remains to be seen.
However, the announcement — along with the Premier’s criticism of Pauline Hanson’s “mono-cultural” vision — appeared to be welcomed by many of Labor’s traditional supporters.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Carroll said:
“Some people would have you believe that there was a time when Victoria was mono-cultural — a time when everyone thought, spoke and looked the same. That is a lie. Victoria has always been diverse.”
The event was attended by several political, community and cultural figures, including the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Paul Endbrooke MP; Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Annette Xiberras; Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs Julian Hill MP; Opposition Leader Jess Wilson; Victorian Multicultural Commission Chair Louise Perry; and master of ceremonies Sista Zai Zanda.
Ms Wilson pledged to restore community safety and support small businesses, while saying multicultural communities enrich Victoria.
“Together with your support, we can make Victoria a better place,” she said.
https://youtu.be/rVKstCC57bU
The evening featured performances by Capoeira ACDP Australia, a Brazilian martial arts group; Believe in Beliefs, a Thai dance troupe; Toranj, a Persian band; Bendjo Academy, a Serbian dance group; LetTeine Polynesian Dance; Lian Husi Timor, a Timorese music group; and Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, a Nigerian funk ensemble.
The Cultural Bazaar featured stalls hosted by the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse, Aurora Bengali Association Melbourne, Australian Iranian Society of Victoria, Chiquitines Cultural Workshop, Fiji Rotuma Alliance, Geelong Latin American Movement, House of Persia Community and Cultural Centre, the Federation of Chinese Associations and the Ukrainian community.
The Premier’s Multicultural Gala Dinner celebrated Victoria’s multicultural character, bringing communities together to share food, music and culture.
As guests mingled and celebrated, the event offered a strong reflection of what Victoria was, is and aspires to be.
