Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Ged Kearney, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, visited the Fronditha Care Thornbury facility this week, where they were hosted by Kostas Livadaras, President, Jim Babalis, Secretary and Faye Spiteri OAM, CEO, of Fronditha Care.

The Ministers were given a guided tour of the facility, where they engaged with residents and staff, gaining firsthand experience of what makes Fronditha Care so special. Residents and staff alike, were delighted to speak to, and excited to have their photos taken with the Ministers.

This was Minister Wong’s first visit to Fronditha Care, and she expressed her joy at the welcoming environment and the strong sense of community she experienced at the facility.

During the visit, Fronditha Care leadership extended their appreciation to the Ministers for the significant reforms into aged care and discussed the organisation’s latest developments, including the impactful work of the Fronditha Care Foundation, which has made significant inroads in understanding how culturally diverse aged care services could be shaped for the future providing government with a potential roadmap.

Mr Livadaras, thanking the Ministers for their visit, said, “We were honoured to host you today and pleased that we could showcase the work of Fronditha Care and discuss with you some of the critical aspects of the future of aged care services.”

The Allan Labor Government will protect Victoria’s vibrant multiculturalism and enhance social cohesion through the commencement of the Victorian Multicultural Review, to be led by the respected George Lekakis AO.

Victoria’s Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt today announced that Hass Dellal AO, Carmel Guerra AO, Miriam Suss OAM and Mark Duckworth PSM will form a Targeted Advisory Group to support Mr Lekakis in his review of Victoria’s multicultural policies and institutions.

“Our multiculturalism is one of the most precious parts of our state, and makes us uniquely Victorian,” Minister Stitt said.

“The Multicultural Review led by the eminently qualified and respected Victorian, George Lekakis AO, is one of many steps being taken by the Allan Labor Government to protect and strengthen it.

“This will guide the next steps needed to strengthen Victoria’s multiculturalism and help stop division.”

The Victorian Multicultural Review will provide recommendations on how the Labor Government can ensure Victoria’s systems, organisations and policies are set up to resolve conflicts, build bridges and celebrate the strength of our multicultural and multifaith communities.

It will also facilitate discussions with communities, key multicultural and multifaith stakeholders, peak bodies and groups to identify strategies to confront discrimination, promote unity and strengthen Victoria’s social cohesion. This includes work within the Victorian Multicultural Commission to ensure it can deliver this agenda.

The eminently qualified and respected Mr Lekakis was the longest-ever serving Chair of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and he has unique insights and knowledge of multicultural and multifaith communities, government institutions and policies.

Mr Lelakis said, “Our strength lies in our diversity, and by bringing together leaders and experts from diverse backgrounds, the Multicultural Review will help guide action to foster a safer, more inclusive Victoria for everyone.”

With the delivery of Victoria’s first Anti-Racism Strategy, and the Anti-Vilification and Social Cohesion Bill before the Parliament, now is the time to make sure Victoria’s multicultural organisations can bring this vision to life and help deliver for all communities, including new and emerging ones.