A new Hellenic festival in Oakleigh would be given $100 000 if the Coalition is elected in the state election on 27 November, according to an announcement on the weekend.
Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nick Kotsiras, along with Liberal candidate for Oakleigh, Theo Zographos, made the announcement at the St Anargiri Feast Day in Oakleigh on Sunday.
“It’s about showcasing the advantages and the merits of living in a multicultural society,” Kotsiris told Neos Kosmos.
“Festivals on their own don’t solve the problem in terms of racism, but they assist in the big picture when you showcase what different cultures bring to this country.”
This follows Premier John Brumby’s announcement of $1 million spending on improvements to Oakleigh’s Eaton Mall, through the Victorian Government’s $12 million Cultural Precincts and Community Infrastructure Fund.
“This funding will strengthen Oakleigh’s Greek identity and help encourage more visitors to experience and enjoy the rich cultural traditions of the area,” Mr Brumby said when he announced the spending earlier this month.
Mr Kotsiris said the $1 million upgrade would go ahead under a Coalition government, and the Hellenic festival would start after the work was finished.
“We should showcase Oakliegh, we should showcase the Greek culture, what the Greek Australians have contributed to the area, and open it up to the wider community,” he said.
The seat of Oakleigh has been held by the ALP since 1999, and the Liberal Party candidate would need a 12.4% swing to win.
But Mr Kotsiris said Mr Zographos, who is 21, is in with a chance.
“Gone are the days where you can assume a seat will go one way or the other,” he said.
“It’s about communicating our policies, and Theo making inroads within the streets, the houses and the voters.
“And I think he’s doing that.”
Mr Kotsiris said he was hoping the Liberal-National coalition would win the 13 seats required to govern in their own right, but conceded it would be “a tough ask”.
“People will make up their minds when they go and vote, and that’s what’s so good about our country, democracy is strong, and we have to earn the vote.”