Melbourne – Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin has hosted a special Multicultural Media Conference at Parliament House, bringing together over 40 media representatives from Victoria’s diverse communities. The event, held on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, was an opportunity for open dialogue about the issues facing migrant communities across the state.

Battin, who was joined by key figures including Deputy Leader Sam Groth, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Evan Mullholland, Assistant Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Renee Heath, and Leader of the Liberal Party in the Legislative Council David Davis, stressed the importance of not just speaking to multicultural communities, but truly listening to them.

“We can’t just be speaking at communities – we need to start listening to them,” Battin said. “That means working with the people who carry their stories every day – you.”

The message resonated strongly with journalists in the room, many of whom raised concerns about the lack of local-language curriculum options in schools, as well as rising crime and public safety issues in multicultural areas.

One of the key topics raised was the need for more language options in schools, particularly for children from non-English speaking backgrounds. Evan Mullholland, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, made it clear that the Liberal Party is committed to supporting mother-tongue education, especially in areas where particular migrant communities have a strong presence.

“We will make sure that where there’s a strong community, their language will be promoted and supported in schools,” Mullholland said, outlining a clear plan to improve educational opportunities for children from multicultural backgrounds.

Another pressing issue discussed was the rise in crime, with many journalists pointing out how families in multicultural areas are feeling increasingly unsafe. Battin acknowledged this concern, saying it was something he’d heard from communities across the state – from Pakenham to Werribee to Shepparton.

“Crime is a big issue everywhere in Victoria. Families are scared, and that’s unacceptable,” he said.

Battin’s words seemed to reflect the growing frustration among communities who feel their concerns have been overlooked in recent years. He admitted that the Liberal Party’s previous failure to effectively engage with new communities could have contributed to its loss in the last federal election.

“We didn’t do enough to connect with these communities or respond to the criticisms of our opposition,” Battin acknowledged. “But we’re committed to doing better and building stronger relationships moving forward.”

Sam Groth, the Liberal Party’s Deputy Leader, also addressed the conference, reflecting on his own experiences participating in multicultural community events. He emphasized the importance of listening to multicultural media and engaging with the concerns of these communities to create better policies.

Senior Multicultural Advisor Peta Reed, who welcomed everyone to the event, echoed the sentiments of the speakers, stressing the need for politicians to stay connected with multicultural communities and truly understand their needs.

From the Nepali community, Chiranjivi Devkota, former president of ANJA and Editor of KBC Khabar, Niru Tripathi, Editor of CALD Voices, Anish Sharma Gaire, Editor of Connect Nepali Media, Chhatra Shankar, Editor of Nepal Eyes, and Dinita Risal from SBS Nepali were present at the event.