The Andrews Labor Government is supporting multicultural and multifaith communities in our community to tackle racism through funding for anti-racism initiatives in our region and the establishment of a new state-wide Anti-Racism Taskforce.

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle and Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison visited the Ballarat Regional Multi-cultural Council (BRMC) during their Refugee Week Winter Market to announce that a $70,000 grant will establish the ‘No to Racism in Western Victoria’ campaign.

The campaign run out of BRMC seeks to decrease the incidence of racist attitudes, behaviours and actions through targeted education and intercultural engagements. These include developing and delivering Anti-Racism and Bystander training programs, promoting positive intercultural exchange including arts and music engagement with school-aged youth and Interfaith activities.

Through these activities, people from culturally diverse backgrounds will be engaged to co-design and deliver these programs, thereby building capacity amongst people from CALD backgrounds.

The Andrews Labor Government will also establish a new Anti-Racism Taskforce to lead development of an Anti-Racism Strategy to proactively address race and faith-based discrimination in Victoria, considering issues such as unconscious bias, privilege, and the intersection of race and other forms of discrimination.

Eleven community members, including BRMC Chair Joy Juma, will sit on the Taskforce, alongside representatives of the Victorian Multicultural Commission and Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

The Taskforce will be co-chaired by Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Member for Sunbury Josh Bull and Member for Northern Metropolitan Region and proud Yorta Yorta woman Sheena Watt.

The Taskforce will also consult directly with communities to ensure a diversity of voices and perspectives. To learn about consultation opportunities and see the Taskforce’s full membership, visit www.vic.gov.au/anti-racism-taskforce

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“BRMC will take the lead in making sure that Racism has no place in our community. Working with wide and diverse groups they will help to spread the message of tolerance and understanding.”

“I congratulate Joy Juma as she will be able to ensure the unique experiences of rural and regional multi-cultural communities are heard.”.

Quotes attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“Sadly, racism does exist in our community and we all have a responsibility to speak up and call it out. This $70,000 grant will help BRMC to educate the wider community that racism is never acceptable.”