Victoria's diverse communities will benefit from expanded language programs, more support for multicultural organisations and land for three new aged care homes catering to Chinese and Indian senior citizens.
The Andrews Labor Government is ensuring Victorians from culturally diverse backgrounds get the support they need to contribute and participate fully in the community through the Victorian Budget 2019/20.
As promised, we're giving families peace of mind by investing $27.1 million to upgrade seven existing culturally specific aged care homes, buy land for two new Indian aged care facilities in Melbourne's west and south-east, and land for a Chinese-specific aged care home.
This comes on top of our $3.6 million investment to provide more than 900 of Victoria's multicultural senior groups with $4,000 so they can hold activities, excursions and religious celebrations as well as upgrade and purchase equipment, such as fridges or barbeques. In total, these groups represent more than 70 different ethnicities and religions.
These investments for older multicultural Victorians honour the sacrifices and the contribution they made when coming to Australia to build a new life for themselves and a world of new opportunities for their children.
A $7.5 million investment will deliver on the Labor Government's commitment to help promote cultural heritage by expanding community language schools so that about 2,000 of our littlest Victorians can learn their mother tongue or that of their pre-school mates.
The Indian film industry will be encouraged to head to Victoria to film more of their Bollywood blockbusters as part of a $3 million fund which is expected to bring several film productions to the state.
We will continue to combat prejudice and discrimination where it occurs, with $2 million invested in the new Anti-Racism Action Plan.
The Budget also provides $500,000 towards assisting ethnic media outlets across the state purchase new equipment, boosting their capacity to deliver high quality news and information to their readers, listeners and viewers.
As noted by Minister for Multicultural Affairs Richard Wynne
"By supporting our multicultural communities, we're helping strengthen Victoria - it's our diversity that makes us what we are today."
"New aged care homes, more support for senior citizen groups, as well as backing ethnic media outlets and multicultural events are just some of the ways we can ensure our rich diversity lives on."
As stated by Minister for Aged Care Luke Donnellan
"Our parents and grandparents have contributed so much to our state - it's fitting we make sure they get the care, dignity, and the culture and language needs they deserve in their later years."
