Victoria has a long and rich history of multiculturalism and diversity. This is part of what makes our state such a great place to live. To protect this legacy, the government is combatting racism, faith-based discrimination and hate conduct.
In 2023–24, DPC’s Multicultural Affairs portfolio worked alongside the Treaty and First Peoples portfolio to continue the development of Victoria’s first anti-racism strategy. The strategy provides a 5-year roadmap to reducing racism in all forms – interpersonal, institutional and structural. The strategy is for Victorians of all ages, abilities, genders, sexualities, faiths and cultural backgrounds.
The Victorian Government has also invested $6 million over 3 years through the Multicultural Affairs portfolio for community-driven initiatives to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia and strengthen social cohesion.
The government allocated $3 million of this funding for community-led projects to tackle Islamophobia. Project partners include the Islamic Museum of Australia, Melbourne Grand Mosque, Islamic Council of Victoria, Board of Imams Victoria and the Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights.
Activities include:
- case work and support services for people
who experience Islamophobia
- roundtables and capacity-building workshops to foster resilience, belonging and cohesion
- programs to combat misconceptions and to raise awareness of Islamic culture.
The other $3 million funded activities to combat antisemitism. These projects are led by the Jewish Community Council of Victoria, Zionism Victoria and Melbourne Holocaust Museum.
Activities include programs to strengthen education and awareness about Jewish culture, cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue and tracking incidents of antisemitism.
In addition, the Victorian Government is administering $900,000 through the 2023–24 State Budget for the Community Security Group to investigate antisemitic incidents in the state
(DPC: $0.9 million in 2023–24).
Updated