Australia is known for fostering of multiculturalism and inclusiveness. Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has an estimated population of 380,000 and 20 percent are born overseas. Canberra is one of the fastest growing city in Canberra. With this, the infrastructure needs are changing. Facilities that were previously sufficient are unable to accommodate large gatherings of family, community functions and events. Commercial facilities have restrictions like community catering and also expensive for communities to celebrate the diversity.

Canberra needs an accessible and affordable facility for communities with a capacity to accommodate larger groups of 1000 or more. Federation of Indian Association of the ACT and many other community organisations and brought to ACT Government’s attention many times for last several years.

Over the last 2 years FINACT and its member organisations have taken every opportunity to request the government. In 2017-18 FINACT participated in the initiative of Making Space: Socialise and strongly raised the need for a larger function centre for the multicultural communities of the ACT.

The facility is needed to celebrate diversity that primarily supports the people to have functions in supporting their family, cultural, community events and promote inclusiveness in the broader Australian society.

The communities were hoping for funding and land to be allocated in the ACT Budget 2019-20. ACT Government has not considered any budget to establish a facility to celebrate the cultural diversity of the territory and support multiculturalism.

We are optimistic that next year, being an election year, will bring this much needed allocation. This is absolutely needed for the ACT Government attention to start the process and build a facility soon.