The Victorian Liberal Party’s State Council is set to become a factional battleground as rival WhatsApp posters circulating among members show two competing narratives. Read details 🔗👇 theaustraliatoday.com.au/sta… But beyond the factional fight, the deeper issue is multicultural representation. With Werribee, Point Cook, Tarneit and other growth suburbs crucial to any Coalition path to government, the Liberals now face a serious question: can they win the west while alienating the very communities they need to mobilise? #VictorianLiberals #LiberalParty #StateCouncil #DineshGourisetty #MoiraDeeming #JessWilson #MelbourneWest #Werribee #Tarneit #PointCook #IndianAustralians #MulticulturalVictoria #VictorianPolitics @LiberalVictoria @DavidDavisMLC @SouthwickMP @evmulholland @BradBattinMP @ReneeHeathMP @JohnPesutto @MatthewGuyMP @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai

Victoria’s taxpayer-funded faith and multicultural dinners have sparked an election-year political row, with the Opposition accusing Premier @JacintaAllanMP’s government of turning community celebrations into Labor-controlled events. Read details 🔗👇 theaustraliatoday.com.au/vic… The dispute has intensified ahead of the inaugural Victorian Christian Communities Dinner, where about 2,000 guests from ethnically diverse Christian communities are expected to attend. Opposition Leader Jess Wilson declined to attend after reportedly being told she would not be allowed to address the room, while Premier Allan and a minister were scheduled to deliver formal remarks. Opposition multicultural affairs spokesman @evmulholland told The Australia Today the events had become “blatantly political”, claiming more than $1 million was being spent in an election year to give Labor a taxpayer-funded advantage. The Allan Government rejects the claim, saying the dinners celebrate Victoria’s diversity and social cohesion, not party politics. #Victoria #JacintaAllan #MulticulturalVictoria #FaithCommunities #TaxpayerMoney #VictorianPolitics #Election2026 #JessWilson #EvanMulholland #Labor #CommunityEvents @DrAmitSarwal @JitarthJai @Pallavi_Aus

An auspicious celebration of Nepali New Year was held with the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, in partnership with the Consulate of Nepal, Victoria, Australia In a warm show of community connection, Premier @JacintaAllanMP and ministers joined the celebrations and danced to the rhythm of Nepali music, adding colour and joy to the special occasion. The evening brought together community leaders, ministers and members of Victoria’s vibrant Nepali community to celebrate culture, tradition and friendship. #NepaliNewYear #Victoria #JacintaAllan #NepaliCommunity #ConsulateOfNepalVictoria #MulticulturalVictoria #Melbourne #NepaliCulture #CommunityCelebration @1019Nirajan @LGrigorovitchmp @MpEnver @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @MathewHilakari @JitarthJai @MofaNepal

Speaking Hindi or Punjabi could open the door to a specialised role inside Victoria Police. #Read_details🔗👇 theaustraliatoday.com.au/do-… Through its Language Allowance Scheme, multilingual employees can receive extra pay while helping police better engage with Victoria’s culturally diverse communities. #VictoriaPolice #Hindi #Punjabi #MulticulturalVictoria #Police @VicGovtNews @VivNguyenVMC @VictoriaPolice @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai @JacintaAllanMP

Premier @JacintaAllanMP joined locals in Bendigo to celebrate the vibrant Hindu festival of colours, Holi, marking a joyful day of culture, community and colour. The Victorian Premier praised the spirit of multicultural Victoria while attending the event organised by the Indian Association of Bendigo. “The colours of Holi are the colours of Victoria. We’re all better for sharing in each other’s cultures, because it enriches our own. Congrats to the Indian Association of Bendigo for putting on another wonderful day – Happy Holi,” she said. Families and community members gathered to throw coloured powder, share food and celebrate one of the most joyous festivals in the Hindu calendar. #Holi #Bendigo #Victoria #MulticulturalVictoria #FestivalOfColours @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @AusHCIndia @HCICanberra @cgimelbourne @AlboMP @rishi_suri

🇦🇺 #Holi2026: Victoria’s Leader of the Opposition Jess Wilson wishes the Hindu community Shubh Holi, recognising the festival’s message of joy, unity and new beginnings. Holi has become a much-loved celebration across Victoria, bringing families and friends together through colour, music and community spirit. Shubh Holi to everyone celebrating today. 🌈✨ #Holi #ShubhHoli #Victoria #MulticulturalVictoria #Community #TheAustraliaToday @evmulholland @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai

Premier @JacintaAllanMP has sent her very best wishes to everyone celebrating Holi across Victoria and around the world. As communities come together to mark the festival of colours — symbolising renewal, unity and the triumph of good over evil — the Premier acknowledged the vibrant contribution of Victoria’s Indian-Australian community to our multicultural state. Wishing all who celebrate a joyful, safe and colourful Holi. #Holi #HappyHoli #Victoria #MulticulturalVictoria #FestivalOfColours @VicGovDFFH @VivNguyenVMC - @HinduCouncilAu @DrAmitSarwal @JitarthJai @Pallavi_Aus

A huge announcement out of Melbourne’s Yuwa Diwas 2026 — the Vivekanand Society of Australia has confirmed a $11,000 Swami Vivekananda Scholarship will be awarded to a deserving young person at Yuwa Diwas 2027 (23 January 2027). Read here: theaustraliatoday.com.au/mel… This year’s program, themed “Imprisoned by Freedom,” blended culture, youth performances and a strong message: freedom works best when it comes with responsibility — and when young people are supported to lead with values. EOI and application details will be shared soon via the Vivekanand Society’s official channels. #YuwaDiwas #Melbourne #Victoria #IndianAustralians #YouthLeadership #Scholarship #SwamiVivekananda #Community #MulticulturalVictoria #Education #Youth #Culture #SanatanDharma #AustraliaIndia #NextGeneration @vyhds @JessMBWilson @JitarthJai @cgimelbourne @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus

#Saturday_Read: Victoria’s Liberal Party is racing to reset its relationship with multicultural communities. Read details here: theaustraliatoday.com.au/a-f… At a packed dinner in Thornbury branded “A fresh start for Victoria”, new leader Jess Wilson, Senator Paul Scarr and NT Multicultural Affairs Minister Linson Charls MLA, Shadow Multicultural Minister Evan Mullholand told migrant community leaders and aspiring candidates that “people who look like us have a future in Liberal politics” — but only if the party opens the door wider and communities step through it. The party still carries the baggage of being seen, fairly or not, as too “male, pale and stale” in parts of multicultural Melbourne. One dinner in Thornbury cannot erase that. But it can signal intent. And on this night, intent was on display: a new leader who seems comfortable in multicultural spaces, a shadow minister who knows the numbers have to change, a federal senator making the case for a broader Liberal story, and an Indian Australian minister from the Territory reminding the room that the path into power is open — if both sides of the equation do their part. Is this the beginning of a real shift, or just another promise? #Victoria #VicPolitics #MulticulturalVictoria #auspol #TheAustraliaToday @evmulholland @CharlesLinson @JessMBWilson @LiberalVictoria @senatorscarr @Pallavi_Aus @DrAmitSarwal @JitarthJai

Victoria has celebrated its multicultural champions at the 2025 Multicultural Awards for Excellence 🎖️ Read details here: theaustraliatoday.com.au/vic… From Premier’s Award for Community Harmony winner Ruchi Sharma, artist Dr Anindita Banerjee, to Sgt Rajesh Sambamurthy, Dr Harpreet Singh Kandra, Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Darbar (Officer) and honour roll recipients including Sunny Singh Duggal, Bhakta Das and Nilaufer Singh – these leaders are helping keep communities creative, connected and safe. 📍 14 award categories 🤝 Community, faith, arts, media and policing all represented #MulticulturalVictoria #VMAE2025 #Sikh #IndianAustralian #VicPol #CommunityHarmony #TheAustraliaToday @followers @HinduCouncilAu @JacintaAllanMP @VivNguyenVMC @DrAmitSarwal @IngridStitt @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is not just a date on the calendar – it’s a call to action. At The Australia Today, we stand with victim-survivors and add our voice to the demand: violence against women must end. We’re resharing the powerful message of VMC Commissioner Tarang Chawla, and we’re asking you to do one thing today: have the hard conversation – at home, at work, in your community. Call out sexism, challenge victim-blaming, listen to and support those who speak up. Silence protects perpetrators. Speaking up protects women. #IDEVAW #EndGenderBasedViolence #TheAustraliaToday #TarangChawla #EliminateViolence #CommunitySafety #MulticulturalVictoria @NatHutchins @DrAmitSarwal @tarang_chawla @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai @LGrigorovitchmp @ReneeHeathMP @VicGovDFFH @VivNguyenVMC @JacintaAllanMP

🚨 Indian Australian community welcomes approval of major Sikh centre in Wyndham after heated council debate Read details here: theaustraliatoday.com.au/ind… After months of heated debate and 108 objections, Wyndham City Council has approved the major redevelopment of the Sikh community hub on Sayers Road — a vital space for thousands of Indian Australian families across Tarneit, Truganina and Hoppers Crossing. Councillor Preet Singh played a key role in securing support, urging fellow councillors to recognise the centre’s cultural, educational and social importance. The upgraded complex will include a modern prayer hall, #Punjabi language school, community rooms, counselling spaces and dining facilities — giving #Sikh families the infrastructure they’ve long needed in one of Australia’s fastest-growing multicultural cities. For many Indian Australians, this decision is more than planning — it’s about recognition, belonging and fairness. @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai #Wyndham #SikhCommunity #IndianAustralian @followers @JacintaAllanMP @VivNguyenVMC @JulianHillMP @anne_aly #MulticulturalVictoria #Gurdwara #WyndhamCouncil #PreetSingh #CommunityNews #TheAustraliaToday

🚨 Shadow Minister Evan Mulholland demands Premier Jacinta Allan apologise over VMC’s decapitated India map 🇮🇳 Read here: theaustraliatoday.com.au/sha… Victoria’s Shadow Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs, Evan Mulholland, has slammed the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) for publishing a decapitated map of India in its Annual Report 2024–25 — calling it “a profound insult to every Indian-Australian in this state.” Mulholland said the blunder shows “a stunning lack of cultural awareness” and demanded Premier Jacinta Allan issue a public apology to the Indian-Australian community. The controversy has reignited debate over cultural sensitivity and accountability within government bodies, after key Indian regions were omitted from the published map. 📰 Full story on The Australia Today. #EvanMulholland #JacintaAllan #VMC #IndiaMap #IndianDiaspora #VictoriaPolitics #MulticulturalVictoria #australiaindia @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai @JacintaAllanMP @evmulholland @VicGovDFFH @VivNguyenVMC @HCICanberra @AusHCIndia @MEAIndia @DFATVic

🚨 Victorian Multicultural Commission under fire over distorted map of India 🇮🇳 Read details here: theaustraliatoday.com.au/vic… A major controversy has erupted after the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s (VMC) Annual Report 2024–25 featured a decapitated map of India, omitting key regions like Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and parts of the northeast. What was meant to celebrate diversity has instead left the Indian-Australian community outraged and hurt. Many have called the incident “deeply disappointing” and a “failure of cultural awareness” from a body meant to promote inclusion. Following community backlash, VMC has removed the image from its online report — but has yet to issue a public apology. The Consulate General of India in Melbourne has formally raised the matter with Premier Jacinta Allan’s office, seeking immediate correction and an apology. 📰 Full story on The Australia Today. @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai #VictorianMulticulturalCommission #IndiaMap #VMC #TheAustraliaToday #IndianDiaspora #AustraliaIndia #MulticulturalVictoria #JacintaAllan #CommunityNews @VivNguyenVMC @multiculturevic @IngridStitt @JacintaAllanMP @cgimelbourne @dfat @DFATVic @MEAIndia

✨ Partnership and Prosperity: Victoria in Focus 🇦🇺🤝🇮🇳 AIBC Victoria Annual Address & Gala Dinner 2025 brought together leaders from business, government and the Indian diaspora to celebrate the growing partnership between Victoria and India. Read details here: theaustraliatoday.com.au/par… Minister @ColinBrooksMP highlighted Victoria’s role as a hub for Indian students, IT firms and innovation. Consul General Dr Sushil Kumar was honoured for strengthening ties between both regions, while Deputy Lord Mayor @RoshenaCampbell reaffirmed Melbourne’s commitment to establishing #LittlIndia. With inspiring addresses by AIBC President Radhika Kanahi, National President Deepak-Raj Gupta OAM, and Vice-President Richa Jain, the evening celebrated four decades of collaboration under the theme “Partnership and Prosperity.” 💫 A night of culture, connection, and a shared vision for the decade ahead. @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai @radhikakanhai #AIBCVictoria #IndiaAustralia #VictoriaIndia #TradeAndInvestment #JacintaAllan #ColinBrooks #RadhikaKanahi #DeepakRajGupta #RichaJain #SushilKumar #RoshenaCampbell #LittleIndia #MulticulturalVictoria #TheAustraliaToday @cgimelbourne @AIBC_National @JacintaAllanMP

🌅 Melbourne to glow with devotion as one of the world’s largest Chhath Puja celebrations outside India and Nepal starts today🌅 Read details here: theaustraliatoday.com.au/mel… Hosted by the Bihar Jharkhand Sabha of Melbourne (BJSM), the two-day festival honours the Sun God and Chhathi Maiyya, celebrating purity, gratitude, and harmony with nature. Join thousands as Melbourne comes together in prayer, music, and community spirit — a true reflection of multicultural unity and devotion. 💛 📍 Karkarook Park, Heatherton 🕓 Oct 27 (4:30 PM – 8:30 PM) | Oct 28 (5:00 AM – 8:00 AM) 🎟️ Free entry – All are welcome! @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai #ChhathPuja #MelbourneEvents #BJSM #IndianCommunity #FestivalOfFaith @AusCG_Mumbai #MulticulturalVictoria #TheAustraliaToday @NewsStateBihar @cgimelbourne @iccr_hq @JacintaAllanMP

Liberal MP’s #GuruNanakLake parliamentary motion reopens old #wounds in Victorian #Sikh community and exposes party #split Read details here: theaustraliatoday.com.au/lib… While Hermans argued the motion was about “consultation,” Premier @JacintaAllanMP condemned it as “deeply hurtful” to the Sikh community — reminding Parliament that the naming honoured Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism, and symbolised unity, compassion and service. “The Victorian Liberals have split on the floor of Parliament over the name of a lake. If division is what you’re about — division is what you’ll get,” – Premier Allan said. 🟡 The debate has once again tested Victoria’s commitment to multicultural harmony and inclusion. @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai #GuruNanakLake #Victoria #Berwick #SikhCommunity #JacintaAllan @annmariehermansmp #MulticulturalVictoria #TheAustraliaToday #AnnMarie_Hermans @evmulholland @BradBattinMP @IngridStitt @Cityofcaseyc

🌏 $5 million boost for multicultural and faith communities in #Victoria Read details here: theaustraliatoday.com.au/vic… The Labor Government has announced a new $5 million Multicultural Infrastructure and Security Program to help community and faith organisations upgrade, renovate, and secure the spaces where Victorians gather, worship, and celebrate. Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt MP said the grants will help create “safe, welcoming places where people from all backgrounds can come together and share traditions.” 🕊️ Grants of up to $400,000 are available for #multicultural and #multifaith organisations across the state. 📅 Applications open 13 October 2025 and close 5 January 2026. 🔗 More info: vic.gov.au/2025-26-multicult… @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai #Victoria #MulticulturalVictoria #IngridStitt #JacintaAllan #CommunityGrants #FaithCommunities #TheAustraliaToday @IngridStitt @JacintaAllanMP @multiculturevic @VivNguyenVMC

🤝#Victoria will create #MulticulturalVictoria, a statutory body merging Multicultural Commission & Office of Multicultural Affairs.🏛️The reform aims to strengthen social cohesion & trust thru community-informed strategies.🌟 #TheIndianSun @ethnicvic 🔗 wp.me/p7ADtX-rtg

🤝#Victoria unveiled a new #multicultural policy to strengthen social cohesion.🏛️It includes a statutory body, #MulticulturalVictoria, & a $5m fund for community orgs.🌏Museum funding also boosted to promote cultural understanding.🌟 #TheIndianSun 🔗 wp.me/p7ADtX-rrQ