Grant funding to be tied to social cohesion as multicultural body replaced

Victoria’s multicultural commission will be replaced and grant recipients could lose funding if they threaten community harmony after a government review in the wake of antisemitic attacks last year.

The review found the state’s institutions and policies had failed to keep up with new social challenges spurred by overseas conflicts and rising cost of living.

To adapt to this environment a new body, Multicultural Victoria, will be set up with beefed-up powers and responsibilities led by a new coordinator general, two deputies and an advisory council to act as an independent voice into government.

It will effectively combine the powers of the Victorian Multicultural Commission with the multicultural policy, grant and program controls overseen by the Department of Premier and Cabinet .

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