Labor is backing Victoria's vibrant multicultural communities - helping to keep local events affordable.
Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria Ingrid Stitt today announced more than 140 recipients of the 2025-26 Chinese Community Hall Hire program.
With venue hire costs rising, the new program will help groups stay connected without added financial pressure.
It means no community group is priced out of a safe, welcoming space to meet, celebrate and connect.
Organisations across 24 council areas will share in grants of up to $40,000 delivering 3,500 community gatherings until early 2027.
Some of the grant recipients who will benefit from venue hire costs include:
- Melton Chinese Friendship Association - supporting weekly dance, singing, cultural sharing and recreational activities
- Xinjiang Chinese Association of Australia - supporting weekly gatherings including exercise, wellbeing, cards, talks, and cultural celebrations
- Australia Canton Multicultural Development Association - running the Melbourne final of the 5th Annual Cantonese Signing Competition.
Victoria is proudly home to almost 430,000 people of Chinese ancestry who have helped to shape our state.
These communities have played a significant role in shaping Victoria's history, identity, prosperity and cultural success.
Victoria is a proudly multicultural and multifaith state - that only Labor will protect.
We know the harm a One Nation Liberal Coalition will do.
They've gone after multicultural communities before, and we know they'll do it again.
More information can be found at vic.gov.au/chinese-community-hall-hire-program.
As stated by Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria Ingrid Stitt
"Only Labor can be trusted to truly support Victoria's multicultural communities."
"Victoria's Chinese communities have helped to shape our state's cultural identity. This program will help them continue to connect and grow."
