The Victorian Liberal Party has made the Indian community a $600,000 election promise to upgrade an Indian temple in Melbourne – $100,000 more than Labor.
Evan Mulholland, the Coalition’s multiculturalism spokesperson, made the pledge at the Kali Mata Mandir temple in Craigieburn on Sunday, and joined attendees in singing a Hindu devotional chant.
A video shared by local Indian media outlet The Australia Today shows Mr Mulholland promising to donate the funds if the Coalition wins next month’s state election.
đź“° Victorian Shadow Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs, @evmulholland, has announced a $600,000 election commitment to upgrade the kitchen infrastructure at @kalimandiraus in Melbourne’s North.
Under the proposal, a Jess Wilson-led Liberal and Nationals Government would fund upgrades to the temple’s kitchen facilities.
#KaliMataMandir #Craigieburn #EvanMulholland #JessWilson #VictoriaElection2026 #IndianAustralians #HinduCommunity #MulticulturalVictoria #MelbourneNews @DrAmitSarwal @Pallavi_Aus @JitarthJai
— The Australia Today (@TheAusToday) October 25, 2026
“I’m pleased to announce, on behalf of [Opposition leader] Jess Wilson, that a Jess Wilson Liberals and Nationals government will commit $600,000 to upgrade the kitchen here at Kai Mata Mandir temple,” he said.
The crowd cheered the announcement, and Mr Mulholland then declared “and to that I say jai mata di”, repeating a Hindu devotional greeting meaning “Hail to the Mother Goddess”.
One Nation candidate Michael Piastrino responded to the video by urging Victorians to vote for his party instead.
“How much money have the Liberals donated to the local RSL club? Vote One Nation this November for change,” he asked.
The Liberals’ promise comes a week after Labor MP Ros Spence, the Minister for Youth Justice, Corrections, Victim Support and Community Sport, promised the same temple $500,000 for upgrades if the government is re-elected.
Ros Spence, who is married to Labor strategist-turned-pollster Kos Samaras, also said the temple would be one of three organisations to share an additional $100,000 for “food relief programs”.
According to a Newspoll published on Sunday night the Coalition is ahead of Labor 55-45 on a two-party preferred basis, just a month out from the state election.
The poll has the Coalition leading with 33% of the primary vote, followed by Labor on 24%, One Nation on 20%, and the Greens on 14%.
Ms Wilson leads Labor leader Ben Carroll as preferred premier with 48% to 34%, with 18% undecided.
Header image: Left, Mr Mulholland making the promise. Right, Mr Mulholland dancing to a Hindu song (The Australia Today).
