Labor boost for Indian hub, Pako Festa

GEELONG’S Sikh community and Pako Fest would be beneficiaries from a Labor election promises to promote multiculturalism in the state if it retains government at the state election.

The party has promised $500,000 for the Sikh Community of Greater Geelong to upgrade its Lovely Banks community centre, while the Pakington Street diversity festival would receive an $800,000 boost under a fund to support multicultural festivals.

The cash for the Lovely Banks comes from a $10 million Indian Community Infrastructure Program that would help build, upgrade and renovate facilities across the state.

“Labor recognises that – in every way – our Sikh communities have made Victoria better, stronger and fairer. With this investment, we’ll celebrate those many contributions,” Lara candidate Ella George said.

“This investment reinforces our commitment to support a strong and vibrant multicultural and multifaith Victoria,” South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman said.

The boost for the Indian centre comes after Liberal South Barwon candidate Andrew Katos promised $2 million for a new South Barwon Indian Community Centre in the city’s south.

Labor allocated $200,000 in this year’s State Budget to investigate a feasibility study for a Geelong community centre.

Meanwhile, Labor’s commitment to Pako Festa would deliver a $200,000 boost each year for four years of the next term if it is re-elected this weekend.

“Since 1983, Pako Festa has been an essential part of Geelong’s story. This investment will celebrate and share that contribution,” Geelong MP Christine Couzens said.

The multicultural parade is set to return to Pakington Street early next year after the festival was in a modified format in February and March due to the pandemic.