Supporting Multicultural Small Businesses And Precincts
A re-elected Andrews Labor Government will invest $10 million to upgrade and revitalise business and cultural hubs in Victoria’s multicultural precincts – including in Box Hill, Chinatown, Dandenong, Oakleigh, Elsternwick, Footscray, Richmond and more.
As part of this, Labor will also support the establishment of a new Jewish Arts Quarter in Elsternwick, a first-of-its-kind precinct that will be a hub for hospitality, music and entertainment in Melbourne’s southeast.
This investment will ensure Victoria’s multicultural precincts remain vibrant and that local businesses continue to do what they do best – supporting local jobs and businesses.
We will also strengthen planning safeguards to protect our multicultural precincts, ensuring that places like Chinatown in the CBD and Eaton Mall in Oakleigh remain protected for our Chinese and Greek communities for many years to come.
To support small business owners in multicultural precincts Labor will invest $5 million to deliver $10,000 scholarships to help train 500 staff to fill jobs in our growing suburbs.
This builds on our commitment to expand Free TAFE to every Victorian who wants to get the skills they need, for the job they want – supporting local jobs and local businesses.
Labor will also invest $2 million to support ten peak multicultural traders’ associations to ensure their members have the right access to services they need. This includes the Australian Lebanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Asian Business Association of Whitehorse, Melbourne Chinatown Association, Oakleigh Village Traders Association, Victoria Street Business Association, Springvale Asian Business Association and St Albans Business Group.
Matthew Guy’s Liberals will say and do anything to get your vote.
During the pandemic, the Liberals left 980,000 visas unprocessed, creating an unprecedented worker shortage for small businesses in Victoria.
The last time Matthew Guy’s Liberals were in power, they destroyed our TAFE system – hurting businesses and families. If they’re re-elected, they’ll do the same thing again.
Only Labor has a record of delivering on the things that matter to Victoria’s multicultural communities and business owners.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“We’re doing what matters for Victorians – supporting small businesses in every corner of our state and training Victorians to get the skills they need for job they want.”
“There are many business precincts in Victoria that are synonymous with our multicultural identity – this investment will strengthen these cultural hubs for many years to come.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Minister for Business Precincts Ben Carroll
“Matthew Guy’s Liberals will destroy small businesses, by cutting TAFE and failing to provide the cost of living relief that every Victorian needs and deserves.”
“Whether it’s Station Street in Box Hill, Victoria Street in Richmond or Little India in Dandenong, our multicultural precincts are a celebration of our diverse communities and the vibrant cultures they represent.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence
“Victoria is home to a proud and vibrant multicultural community, which is an integral part of our state.”