The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria has welcomed targeted multicultural funding measures in the Victorian State Budget while calling for sustained long-term investment ahead of the state election later this year.
ECCV said practical cost-of-living initiatives, including subsidised public transport, fuel price caps and vehicle registration discounts, would assist multicultural communities across the state.
The organisation also welcomed continued government investment in multicultural programs, including funding for anti-racism projects, refugee and asylum seeker support, English as an Additional Language programs and initiatives supporting South Sudanese Australian youth and community programs.
ECCV particularly praised the allocation of $5.4 million over two years for the Multicultural Seniors Support Program, describing it as a major win for multicultural seniors and ethnic seniors’ clubs.
ECCV CEO Farah Farouque said greater long-term investment remained essential.
“It’s good to see several practical measures in the Budget, but beyond that we really need to see greater investment in multicultural organisations that do so much to support communities. We hope to see this addressed as we head into the state election,” Ms Farouque said.
“I’m also pleased to see an additional two years of funding for grassroots seniors’ clubs, which play a vital role in supporting connection and wellbeing. ECCV has long advocated for an ongoing investment in ethnic seniors’ clubs.”
ECCV warned that ongoing cost-of-living pressures and global uncertainty continue to disproportionately affect multicultural Victorians, many of whom face systemic barriers including discrimination and unequal access to services.
ECCV Chair Silvia Renda said multicultural communities must remain central to political commitments ahead of the November poll.
“As Victoria heads toward a state election, multicultural communities must be central to the commitments of all political parties,” Ms Renda said.
“This Budget includes welcome measures, but they must be matched by sustained investment in the organisations and services that support culturally diverse communities every day.”
