Education priorities key to empowering multicultural young people
CMY’s State Election Platform 2026 places education at the heart of building a more inclusive and prosperous Victoria. Recognising that multicultural young people face barriers including racism, disadvantage and unequal access to opportunities. In the lead-up to November’s election CMY is calling for targeted investment to ensure every young person can participate, learn and reach their full potential.
CMY is calling for a three-year investment to expand the Schools Standing Up to Racism program and extend its reach into primary schools. The initiative aims to tackle racism, strengthen belonging and connection and support positive educational experiences for students from diverse backgrounds.
CMY welcomes the commitment to full funding of the Schooling Resource Standard for public schools in Victoria. The long-term agreement between the Victorian Government and the Commonwealth signed last week sets out a pathway for 100 per cent funding for the Schooling Resource Standard in Victoria, however it won’t be reached until 2034.
We’re also calling for an to increase in funding and ensure multi-year funding for Learning Support Programs that sustain homework clubs. As we saw at our recent MY Education Awards, these programs play a critical role in helping students from migrant and refugee backgrounds to achieve their educational goals and ensure those who need additional support are not left behind.
Beyond the classroom, we need to remove the practical barriers impacting young people’s participation in education. We believe free public transport should be extended for young people up to the age of 21, helping more students access education, training and employment opportunities regardless of where they live.
Together, these recommendations reflect CMY’s broader vision of empowering multicultural young people through equitable access to education, stronger school support systems, and learning environments where diversity is valued and celebrated. By investing in these priorities, Victoria can help ensure all young people can thrive and contribute to the state’s future.
Read CMY’s State Election Platform 2026
Carmel Guerra OAM
CMY CEO