The Andrews Labor Government is supporting multicultural and multifaith communities to tackle racism through funding for local anti-racism initiatives and the establishment of a new Anti-Racism Taskforce.

Across the state, 42 community organisations will share in $3.8 million to respond to local challenges to social cohesion and increase cross-cultural understanding.

In Dandenong, this includes $45,000 for the Victorian Afghan Associations Network and $70,000 for Wellsprings for Women, to support projects that build community awareness and promote social cohesion in the local community.

The Andrews Government will also establish a new Anti-Racism Taskforce to lead development of an Anti-Racism Strategy to proactively address race and faith-based discrimination in Victoria, considering issues such as unconscious bias, privilege, and the intersection of race and other forms of discrimination.

Eleven community members with diverse experience will sit on the Taskforce, alongside representatives of the Victorian Multicultural Commission and Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.

The Taskforce will be co-chaired by Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Member for Sunbury Josh Bull and Member for Northern Metropolitan Region and proud Yorta Yorta woman Sheena Watt.

The Taskforce will also consult directly with communities to ensure a diversity of voices and perspectives. To find out more, visit https://www.vic.gov.au/anti-racism-taskforce