MELBOURNE, 7 September 2026: Victorian Premier Ben Carroll today reaffirmed Labor’s support for multicultural and multifaith communities, in contrast to One Nation’s monoculture narrative, warning a Liberal–One Nation government would hurt the working people.
The recent passing of the Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria Bill, replacing the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC), is also significant ahead of November’s state election.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Paul Edbrooke said: “This legislation sends a clear message: multiculturalism is one of Victoria’s greatest strengths. Every Victorian should feel safe, valued and free to express their culture, heritage and faith.”
“Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria marks a new chapter in government’s partnership with these communities, strengthening engagement, accountability and community participation.”
Premier Carroll made the remarks at a special roundtable with the Indian community at Parliament House, attended by interfaith leaders, community influencers, small-business owners, teachers, doctors and entrepreneurs.
“You are small-business owners, teachers, doctors, entrepreneurs and community leaders helping to build the Victoria we’re all proud to call home,” he said.
“We trust Victoria’s Indian community. We respect you. As Premier, I will always stand with you. Labor will always back our multicultural and multifaith communities.”
Premier Carroll’s engagement with the Indian community comes as it becomes one of Victoria’s fastest-growing migrant groups, ahead of November’s state election. Labor is seeking a rare fourth term amid incumbency pressures and a surge in support for the far-right One Nation. The Premier’s message — “I stand with the Indian community” — is politically significant.
Faith and community leaders including Mitu Bhowmick Lange (Mind Blowing Films and IFFM), Wipro’s Ketan Panchal and MP Lee Tarlamis attended, raising concerns about social cohesion and One Nation’s monoculture narrative.
The Premier agreed with a comment by the SAT editor that, following One Nation’s recent WA by-election win, rising community tensions require a more vocal response to rhetoric against multiculturalism and in favour of monoculture.
Mitu Bhowmick said that, for the first time in IFFM’s 17-year history, the Indian flag-hoisting event at Federation Square was disrupted by a small rally playing loud music and chanting slogans against the gathering. She urged the state government to broaden its support for South Asian cinema, arguing that diverse storytelling enriches multicultural Victoria.
Alongside Premier Carroll, ministers Luba Grigorovitch, Enver Erdogan and Paul Edbrooke attended.
Available data reveals there are around 370,000 people of Indian ancestry in Victoria. ABS data shows concentrations in the City of Wyndham (Tarneit, Truganina, Williams Landing, Altona, Point Cook) as well as Craigieburn, Wollert and Kalkallo, Clayton and Dandenong. While the number of enrolled voters is unclear, these suburbs have an average Indian-population share of about 20 per cent, making the community electorally significant for November.
The Premier’s Indian roundtable recognised the emerging political clout of Victoria’s — and Australia’s — fastest-growing migrant community. How Victorians vote in November remains to be seen, with day-to-day issues likely to dominate alongside community concerns.
