Australia is likely to get its first Hindu school regardless of which major party wins the federal election, with the Coalition vowing to spend millions on the project after Labor said it would support the move.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on Sunday said the Coalition, if elected, would commit $8.5 million toward the faith-based school. An initial $850,000 would go to Hindu Council of Australia for a business case with the further $7.65 million for capital expenditure once the business case is finished.
"The 684,000-strong Hindu community in Australia makes an enormous contribution to our multicultural character," Dutton said.
"This important announcement of the first Hindu school to be established is an important recognition of the Hindu community’s vision to have a Hindu school finally realised."
Last week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced Labor would support a proposed school, to be run by the Hindu Education and Cultural Centre. The organisation has already purchased land in Sydney's north-west.
Census figures show Hinduism grew by 55.3 per cent from 440,300 people in 2016 to 684,002 people in 2021. Almost 2.7 per cent of the Australian population identify as Hindus, up from 1.9 per cent five years earlier.
Coalition pledges more psychology sessions
In a separate announcement, the coalition has also peldged more mental health support for Australians, including a plan to double the amount of subsidised psychology sessions on Medicare.
Joining Dutton at a press conference in Parramatta — a seat held by Labor on a small three per cent margin — Liberal senator Anne Ruston said the Coalition would restore the number of subsidised psychology sessions a person can access a year to 20.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton arrives to address the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi) NO ARCHIVING Source: AAP / BIANCA DE MARCHI/AAPIMAGE
Ruston also promised an additional $5 million in funding to a Headspace youth mental health centre in Parramatta.
