With Australia’s federal election set for May 3, both major parties have made competing promises to boost community language education, aiming to win support from multicultural voters.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged $25 million to support 600 community language schools nationwide, helping over 90,000 students learn 84 languages.

The package includes $5 million for a specialist Asian languages stream targeting fluency through to Year 12, with Albanese highlighting that “this will open further employment opportunities and career paths for students, and grow economic ties with our friends and neighbours across our region.”

“Community Language Schools strengthen our social inclusion by supporting young Australians… to learn or maintain a language other than English,” Albanese added.

“This program connects students to the languages of their parents, grandparents, and broader communities.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton countered with a $4.5 million pledge to establish a Greek Cultural and Language Enrichment Centre in Oakleigh, and promised to match Labor’s commitments to Greek communities, totaling nearly $12 million if elected.

Shadow Minister for Education Sarah Henderson reiterated the Coalition’s commitment to language education, calling community language schools “a pillar of Australia’s multicultural success story” and vital for preparing young Australians for a global economy.

“The ability to speak a second or third language—especially those of our key regional partners—also opens doors in trade, diplomacy, and business,” she added.

As campaigning enters its final stretch, both parties are using language education promises to underline their support for cultural diversity — an issue likely to resonate strongly with voters in Australia’s increasingly diverse electorates.

Independent candidate Anthony Koutoufides has called for the relocation of North Richmond’s safe injecting room, telling a rally of over 100 residents and business owners on Sunday that the facility has failed the local community.

“North Richmond is in crisis,” Koutoufides told the crowd gathered at North Richmond Station.

“Families and children are witnessing flagrant drug use and aggressive behaviour on a daily basis.”

According to Herald Sun, he criticised the state government’s handling of the issue, blaming both Labor and the Greens for inaction.

“The current location of the injecting room has failed, it must be moved to a more appropriate site where help can still be provided.”

The protest followed a Yarra Council survey showing nearly half of residents feel unsafe at night, amid a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

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A post shared by Anthony Koutoufides (@kouta4melbourne)

Demonstrators marched along Victoria Street chanting “injecting room, out, out, out,” holding placards with slogans like “noodles not needles.”

Koutoufides joined other political figures including Liberal leader Brad Battin and Independent Tim Smith in condemning the state’s approach to public safety. Battin warned that crime was “out of control” and linked the issue to business closures and the need for bail reform.

A counter-rally later took place in support of the injecting room, with advocates highlighting its role in saving lives. Legalise Cannabis Party Senate candidate Fiona Patten urged investment in such healthcare services.

The rallies come amid public concern about rising crime in Richmond, with the Yarra Council area recording nearly 12,500 criminal incidents in 2024—the highest since 2015.

Source: Herald Sun.