The Andrews Labor Government is supporting multicultural and multifaith communities to tackle racism through funding for local anti-racism initiatives and the establishment of a new Anti-Racism Taskforce.<\/p>\n
Across the state, 42 community organisations will share in $3.8 million to respond to local challenges to social cohesion and increase cross-cultural understanding.<\/p>\n
In Dandenong, this includes $45,000 for the Victorian Afghan Associations Network and $70,000 for Wellsprings for Women, to support projects that build community awareness and promote social cohesion in the local community.<\/p>\n
The Andrews 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.<\/p>\n
Eleven community members with diverse experience will sit on the Taskforce, alongside representatives of the Victorian Multicultural Commission and Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n