Indian immigrant organisations are getting state government grants worth up to $2.4 million each to build new community centres in Melbourne.
Premier Jacinta Allan on Friday said the new round of funding was intended to “support cultural connection, celebration and belonging” but did not state how many grants would be available.
Under Ms Allan, who visited India last year where she announced new programs to bring in more Indian students and create pathways for permanent residency, Victoria’s debt has ballooned to record levels and is predicted to rise sharply over the next three years.
But on Friday Ms Allan and her Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ingrid Stitt, revealed the expressions of interest were open for Indian organisations in Melbourne’s west and south-east to establish new community centres.
“Victoria’s Indian community is incredibly diverse, with community members from many different cultural, linguistic and faith backgrounds,” Ms Allan’s office said.
“Applicants are encouraged to consider this diversity in their proposals and put forward plans for a community space that is inclusive, welcoming and accessible to all.”
The Premier also announced that the Labor state government was “supporting Victoria’s Indian community” with an initiative called the Revitalising Central Dandenong Project.
The project will deliver a new Little India Precinct with up to 470 new homes, 2,500 square metres of community space, and a new supermarket and food market hall.
United Australia Party Senator for Victoria Ralph Babet slammed the move, saying “Multiculturalism isn’t a strength it’s the slow motion demolition of national unity”.
“[This is] taxpayer funded segregation, dressed up as ‘diversity’. Why migrate here just to glorify the country you fled? If it was so great, you’d still be there. Assimilate and become Australian or just go back to where you came from,” he wrote.
The announcement comes after public outrage over Ms Allan handing out taxpayer-funded apartments to immigrants, and installing “machete bins” in response to African gang crime.
Header image: Left, Ms Allan on last year’s visit to India. Right, Ms Allan pandering to Sikh voters (Facebook).
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