After George Lekakis' review suggested that the Victorian Multicultural Commission's "unwieldy structure and largely ceremonial role" was inadequate to meet the new challenges posed by "COVID-19, cost of living crisis, and the overseas conflicts", the Allan Labor government has decided to replace the existing commission with a new statutory body, Multicultural Victoria.
This new body will be headed by a Multicultural Coordinator General who will act as an independent voice. The Coordinator General will be supported by two deputies and a five-member advisory council for commissioners.
In another major announcement, the organisations applying for the multicultural grant will also be required to undertake a 'social cohesion commitment'. The Premier, however, clarified that this will not act as a punitive measure.
The government also announced a new $5 million fund to strengthen the capacity and sustainability of multicultural organisations.
To know more about the new organisation announced ahead of the state elections next year, listen to this podcast:
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