By Olivia Condous
The Labor party has pledged funding to go towards a new hall in Melton for the local Sikh community.
The Khalsa Shaouni religious organisation in Plumpton will receive $86,000 in funding for upgrades towards their community hall, if Labor wins the seat of Hawke in the upcoming election.
The hall will be used as a meeting place and place of worship for the Sikh community in the area.
The funding will go towards works for a new car park in order to improve access to the community hall currently under construction at the site.
The funding comes after Khalsa Shaouni volunteers donated more than 120,000 meals to those in isolation and vulnerable or elderly members of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The group also provided meals and care packages for those affected by the most recent bushfires in Victoria and New South Wales.
Labor party candidate for Hawke Sam Rae said the funding was part of the party’s commitment to ensure that culturally and linguistically diverse Australians experience a better future.
“Federal Labor understands that Sikh Australians play such a vital role in making Australia the most successful multicultural society in the world, and we’ve been listening to community voices to support their work,” Mr Rae said.
Opposition multicultural affairs minister Andrew Giles said Labor was proud to play a part in supporting a multicultural society in Melbourne.
“Sam Rae and the team that Anthony Albanese leads has been listening to the local Sikh community and is committed to delivering on important infrastructure that will allow them to continue their work in community building and culture sharing.”
