MELBOURNE, 23 May 2023: The Victoria Budget for 2023-24 was presented today, aimed at building a fairer, more equal state. The budget invests in landmark Treaty and truth processes, alongside targeted support for child protection services, women, veterans, public housing residents, LGBTIQ+ communities and multicultural Victorians. Multicultural & Housing Minister Colin Brooks MP and Deputy Treasurer Danny Pearson MP detailed the fine points at a media conference for the multicultural media at the Parliament House.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Colin Brooks disclosed the budget provides $ 40million to continue the Multicultural Community Infrastructure Fund, and $ 17million to upgrade and revitalise business and cultural hubs in Victoria’s multicultural precincts, provide grants to multicultural grants to trader associations, and for scholarships to help train staff to fill jobs in these precincts.
The budget papers reveal $ 12million is allocated for festivals and and events, and $6 million to fund anti-vilification campaigns against Victoria’s Jewish and Islamic communities.
Colins Brooks said, “Victoria is already Australia’s multicultural capital, and this Budget makes sure our multicultural communities can celebrate their cultures and traditions with equal rights, protections and opportunities.”
“Having safe and secure places to celebrate and share cultural history and traditions ensures Victoria’s multicultural communities can continue to build connections, share traditions and celebrate diversity.”
Danny Pearson said, “This Budget is not just about supporting multicultural Victorians themselves, but about supporting multicultural schools, kinders, community centres, places of worship and the infrastructure that keeps our communities connected.”
“Victoria’s diverse multicultural communities contribute so much to our state and we’re proud to support them through the Victorian Budget 2023/24.”
“We’re providing more support for Victoria’s proud, diverse multicultural communities that contribute so much to our state with a $77 million investment – keeping communities connected through a growing number of vibrant festivals, events and new and improved community spaces while also providing support for anti-racism campaigns,” says a state government media release.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews Budget 2023-2024 video message:
The multicultural budget at a glance
– $40 million over four years for the Multicultural Infrastructure Fund to upgrade, renovate and build multicultural and multifaith community facilities and multicultural museums.
– $17 million to upgrade and revitalise business and cultural hubs in Victoria’s multicultural precincts, provide grants to multicultural trader associations and for scholarships to help train staff to fill jobs in these precincts.
– $12 million to communities for “27 festivals and events that offer important connections for multicultural and multifaith communities.”
– $9.8 million for multicultural support programs including the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, and the Bachar Houli Foundation.
– $6 million to fund anti vilification campaigns “to combat Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.”
– $1.5 million “over four years to support the work of multicultural media organisations and a tripling of proportion of expenditure of government advertising from 5 percent to 15 percent.”
– $6 million to strengthen and extend language provision in Community Language Schools and select government schools, including by establishing three new beacon schools offering Hindi and Punjabi language subjects. Source- https://neoskosmos.com/
LINK – Full Victoria Budget 2023-2024.
LINK – Treasurer Tim Pallas’s Budget 2023-2024 message.
