Victoria stands at a turning point in its approach to multicultural policy. Following months of consultation and review, the state government has unveiled a suite of reforms aimed at strengthening social cohesion, rebuilding trust, and ensuring that multicultural and multifaith communities are not only represented but genuinely supported.
The changes proposed and adopted immediately by the state government are significant. My first quick read leads me to believe they are moving in the right direction.
What is important now is the selection of the individuals who are going to personify the new structures and implement the new policies.
As a community participant in the multicultural scene of Melbourne for almost 40 years now, (member of relevant ALP Policy Committees, multicultural media experience, (community radio and publications), community participant and activist, etc, I am of the opinion that in the past few year, the multicultural bodies of the state of Victoria were ran by non strategic bureaucrats and “community leaders” with no real impact or outreach to the state’s, ethnic communities.
These people were appointed by politicians who did not really understand, sometimes, the nature and the importance of the multicultural task, as well as the need to deepen and to re-orient our multicultural policies and priorities. Let us hope that this will not be the case this time.
“The Victorian Government has announced its response to Victoria’s Multicultural Review.
The review, announced by the Premier in December 2024, was part of a suite of actions to address social cohesion challenges and to strengthen community harmony.
The review – led by George Lekakis AO with support from a targeted advisory group of community experts – provides recommendations to the Victorian Government to ensure policies, institutions and programs better reflect and support Victoria’s multicultural and multifaith communities.
More than 600 Victorians, across almost 60 consultation sessions, were engaged as part of the review. A further 160 organisations and peak bodies made written submissions.
The review confirms that multiculturalism is one of Victoria’s greatest strengths, while calling on government to lead reforms to strengthen trust, tackle systemic issues, build the capacity of multicultural groups, and foster a whole-of-society approach to social cohesion.
As part of its initial response to the review, the Government is implementing immediate actions to support Victoria’s multicultural sector and uplift its communities as champions of unity and cohesion:
– A new statutory body – Multicultural Victoria – will be established, and a new Multicultural Coordinator General will be appointed to lead it. They will be supported by two Deputies, with one from regional Victoria, plus a five-member advisory council of commissioners.
– This new organisation will combine the engagement role of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) with the policy role of the Department. It will have new responsibilities including developing safety plans for communities affected by serious and distressing events.
– The Premier will lead a new whole-of-government multicultural strategy to elevate community needs across all portfolios, and will require multicultural needs to be considered in all Cabinet decision-making.
– Organisations applying for multicultural grants will be empowered to pilot a Social Cohesion Commitment, before it is rolled out in standard funding agreements across all Government portfolios.
– A new $5 million fund will strengthen the capacity and sustainability of multicultural organisations to deliver for their communities and equip them to be leaders in resolving conflict and division.”
More information about Victoria’s Multicultural Review can be found at https://www.vic.gov.au/victorias-multicultural-review
