The Victorian Opposition has warned Labor against making four-year appointments to Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria’s top jobs before caretaker mode begins. Available information indicates no appointments have yet been made.
MELBOURNE, 16 October, 2026: Available information indicates there have so far been no appointments to the new Multicultural Coordinator-General or deputy roles. The Victorian Opposition has nevertheless warned the Carroll Labor Government against making four-year appointments to the newly created Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria leadership positions shortly before the caretaker period begins.
Shadow Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs Evan Mulholland said the government should not “ram through” appointments to the Coordinator-General and two Deputy Coordinator-General roles in the final days before caretaker mode starts on Melbourne Cup Day.
The roles were advertised before the enabling legislation reached Parliament. Applications for the full-time Multicultural Coordinator-General position closed on August 9, with a salary range of $344,616 to $400,741; the two part-time deputy roles were advertised at $268,488.
Opposition’s warning
Mr Mulholland accused Labor of politicising the new statutory body by seeking to fill senior positions so close to the November election.
“There are only 18 days until caretaker mode starts on Melbourne Cup Day, and Labor are trying to rig the odds in their favour at the expense of multicultural Victorians,” he said.
“Victorian multicultural communities deserve to have absolute confidence that public appointments and public funding are not being used as political currency.”
He said appointments should be based on expertise, community contribution and the capacity to represent communities, rather than political allegiances or ministerial friendships.
“Ben Carroll is arrogantly jeopardising the future of Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria by trying to ram through four-year appointments on the way out the door,” Mr Mulholland said.
“I consult widely with multicultural and multi faith Victorians, and they have had enough of this government using them for rank partisan reasons.”
What the roles involve
Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria is being established to replace the Victorian Multicultural Commission. Under the Multicultural Victoria Amendment Bill 2026, it will be led by a Multicultural Coordinator-General, supported by two Deputy Coordinators-General, one of whom must have a rural or regional Victoria connection.
The government has said the leadership positions will be filled through an independent process and that appointees will represent communities impartially and transparently.
Parliamentary records show the Coordinator-General and deputies are to be appointed by the Governor in Council on the minister’s recommendation. The legislation also prevents people who recently held certain political or parliamentary roles from being appointed.
Timing and safeguards
The Coalition has argued that appointments of up to four years could extend beyond the November election and bind the next government. Opposition amendments sought to ensure any Coordinator-General or deputy appointed before January 30, 2027 would see their appointment end on that date.
The government has previously said the new body’s establishment was subject to the passage of legislation, while recruitment for the leadership roles began before the bill completed its parliamentary passage.careers.
No appointments to the Coordinator-General or deputy positions have been announced in the available information.
