Programs for multicultural youth backed in Budget – but missed chance to tackle racism
The Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) welcomes the Allan Government’s continued support for programs that directly support multicultural young people, including those from South Sudanese, Pasifika backgrounds.
The 2025–26 Victorian Budget includes practical measures aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures, investing in frontline services and infrastructure, and strengthening community safety and social cohesion. While this provides a foundation for progress, the Budget falls short in delivering targeted responses to racism and youth homelessness — two areas where urgent action is needed.
CMY’s community partnership programs deliver tailored initiatives that directly respond to community-identified needs. They include:
- Community Support Groups offering targeted support to South Sudanese young people and their families in Melbourne’s north, west and south-east
- Le Mana Pasifika Project delivering targeted support to Māori and Pasifika young people and communities
- Regional Presence Project providing education and employment programs for young people in regional areas, including Ballarat and Gippsland
- Navigator Program supporting students at risk of disengaging from education.
Carmel Guerra OAM, CEO of CMY, said:
“We’re grateful to see these vital programs refunded. They play a significant role in shaping multicultural young people’s sense of belonging and connection to their communities.”
While a range of programs have been renewed, we want to see a more targeted, long-term approach that directly responds to community need in areas such as anti-racism, education, youth homelessness, youth justice and mental health.
The Government’s commitment to multicultural and multifaith communities is a step in the right direction, with more than $20 million going towards a range of measures that help to ensure all Victorians feel a sense of belonging.
However, a lack of targeted investment to address racism, especially in our schools, is disappointing off the back of Victoria’s Anti-Racism Strategy.
CMY welcomes a boost to cost-of-living pressures including free public transport for everyone under 18, but calls for this to be extended to at least young people under 21, who bear the brunt struggling with first jobs, study at TAFE or university.
Greater transparency is needed around the specific funding allocation for the community safety package in the Budget as part of the $1.6 billion in crime prevention and $727 million to expand the capacity of prisons and youth justice centres.
“We call on the Government to invest in early intervention and prevention programs tailored to young people from over-represented communities, and addressing the root causes of their offending,” CEO Carmel Guerra said.
“As the Victorian Youth Justice Review recommended, these programs should be designed in collaboration with organisations like CMY that have established community partnerships which will help drive meaningful action,” CEO Guerra added.
CMY was disappointed by a lack of targeted funding for young people experiencing housing insecurity, despite $61 million for homelessness support and increased support of food relief programs.
CMY remains committed to working collaboratively with the Allan Government and continuing to advocate alongside young people, families and communities, to make sure that multicultural young people are supported, connected and have every opportunity to fully reach their potential.
For media enquiries, please contact: Hannah Ford, Communications & Marketing Manager
M | 0429 592 860 E | hford@cmy.net.au