Victoria’s Labor government will give the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne another $600,000 if it wins the upcoming state election.
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM), which started on Thursday and runs until August 23, has been running for 17 years thanks to millions in taxpayer funding.
Minister for Creative Industries Vicki Ward said the election promise would lock the festival in for another two years, and claimed the Coalition and One Nation would defund it instead while making $40 billion in cuts.
“A strong Victoria is a state where everyone can contribute, belong and see their stories reflected,” Ms Ward said.
“Labor is proud to back the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, celebrating the contribution of Victoria’s strong multiculturalism, and strengthening our place as a global screen destination.”
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Paul Edbrooke said Victoria was home to Australia’s largest Indian immigrant population, “so it’s fitting we host the biggest celebration of Indian cinema in the southern hemisphere”.
According to the Victorian government, more than 30,000 people are expected to attend the festival, which includes an Awards Night, Pride Day and a Dance Competition in Federation Square.
The most recent major poll on the November state election, conducted by Roy Morgan from August 5 to 7, had Labor and the Coalition tied on 26% of the primary vote, with One Nation on 23.5%.
On a two-party preferred basis, the Coalition was ahead of Labor 51% to 49%, and ahead of One Nation 63.5% to 36.5%. Labor was ahead of One Nation 56% to 44%, and the results suggested if an election was held now there would be a hung parliament.
The IFFM funding promise is the latest in a series of pro-multiculturalism initiatives announced by Labor in recent weeks, including $1.15 million in grants for anti-racism, $19 million to attract more foreign students, $6 million for immigrant groups to upgrade security, and $5 million for “grassroots organisations”.
Header image: Ms Ward poses for photos on the opening day of the festival (Victorian government).
