Tuesday, 4 February 2025

North-Eastern Metropolitan Region

Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:12): (1327) My constituency question is directed towards the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. In last few years I have had the great pleasure of attending Holi and Diwali festivals in the City of Whittlesea run by the organisation Mission Smile. Mission Smile are not just a commercial operation; they do charitable works, and they are deeply involved in generating a sense of community in the northern suburbs. However, the multicultural commission of Victoria, who previously supported this event, has due to funding cuts put in a condition that they can only support one event per organisation per year. That means Mission Smile must choose now between running a Holi event or a Diwali event. I would ask that the minister please discuss and review this matter with the multicultural commission and guarantee that Mission Smile can deliver both Holi and Diwali events this year.