Melbourne, Monday, 24 August 2026: Multicultural voters will play a decisive role in Victoria’s 2026 state election, with the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) urging political parties to address the concerns and aspirations of culturally diverse communities.
ECCV has launched A Victoria for All of Us, a state election platform containing 14 recommendations aimed at strengthening communities, fostering belonging and improving wellbeing and safety across metropolitan and regional Victoria. The platform was developed following statewide community consultations and feedback from ECCV’s annual member survey.eccv.org
The recommendations cover four key areas: sustaining multicultural communities, investing in belonging, supporting every generation, and strengthening wellbeing and safety.
ECCV Chief Executive Officer Farah Farouque said multicultural voters’ voices must help shape Victoria’s future.
“Multicultural voters matter in this election. Our voices, priorities and hopes must help shape Victoria’s future,” Ms Farouque said.
She said the November 28 election would be a test of Victoria’s democracy amid growing racism, hate and anti-migrant rhetoric.
“The election has to be about more than winning votes in key electorates. It is about whether our political leaders are deeply listening to our diverse communities and responding to key concerns,” she said.
ECCV’s platform identifies racism as the leading concern raised during its consultations. It calls for stronger investment in community-led anti-racism initiatives, new Anti-Racism Support Networks and expanded anti-racism programs in Victorian schools.eccv.org
Five key priorities
ECCV is calling on all political parties and candidates to commit to five immediate priorities:
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Provide sustainable, long-term funding for ECCV, regional ethnic communities’ councils and grassroots multicultural organisations.
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Eliminate racism and all forms of hate, including antisemitism and Islamophobia, through community-led programs.
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Invest in multicultural ageing through place-based initiatives and a statewide Centre of Excellence.
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Pilot two inclusive intercultural hubs in Melbourne’s outer growth corridors.
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Prioritise prevention and early intervention to reduce the over-representation of some multicultural communities in the youth justice system.
The broader platform also calls for improved community language education, culturally appropriate mental health services, gambling harm prevention programs and initiatives to address intergenerational tensions in multicultural families.
Other recommendations include extending free public transport for young Victorians up to the age of 21, strengthening refugee health services and establishing an accredited qualification for bicultural workers.eccv.org
‘Positive vision’ for Victoria
Ms Farouque said the recommendations would improve support for multicultural Victorians throughout their lives and create more opportunities for communities to connect.
“ECCV’s platform paints a positive vision for a Victoria where everyone belongs,” she said.
ECCV Board Chairperson Silvia Renda said the platform reflected the priorities of communities in both metropolitan and regional areas, with hundreds of people contributing to its development.
“The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria is not aligned with any political party. We work constructively with governments of all persuasions because our focus is and will always be on the interests of multicultural communities,” Ms Renda said.
She said governments would lead the system, while ECCV would continue to act as a trusted, community-led partner.
“Government will lead the system, but the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria will remain the trusted community-led partner that helps ensure the system listens, responds and delivers,” she said.
ECCV represents more than 230 member organisations and has advocated for migrant and refugee communities for more than 50 years. Established in 1974, it is Australia’s first multiethnic council and has played a significant role in shaping multicultural policy.
