A quick pencil and paper tally reveals that around $25 million has been pledged by both the Coalition government and the Labor Party to Greek Australian organisations.

The Greek Community of Melbourne scored commitments of $3.6million from both Labor and the Coalition. The Archdiocese notched a $10 million pledge from Labor for the redevelopment of the Northcote Axion Esti monastery. The Coalition said it will give $7.5 million to upgrade St Ioannis parish in Parramatta.

Melbourne aged care facility Fronditha Care was assured $1.5 million and sporting club Oakleigh Cannons has a promise of $2 million from Labor.

Labor has also committed $12 million to after hour language schools, which will benefit Greek Australian communities.

Labor has committed $5 million to independent multicultural media which was matched by the Coalition. Both parties said that they are dedicated to ongoing dialogue with Independent Multicultural Media Australia, (IMMA). Labor also said it would provide more funding for community broadcasting.

The efforts by our community, churches, and media in promoting vaccines and COVID-19 safety is one reason for the Coalition’s and Labor’s generosity. The pandemic had a disastrous effect on Greek Australians. Around 150 older Greeks died from the infection, while many more – young and old – became very ill. Some are suffering the effects of long-COVID. A key reason communities, media, and church united over COVID-19 was the impact of an antivaxx movement by a small but loud sector of the Greek community. Of concern to both major parties, is the populist, Australian United Party (UAP), and their penetration of immigrant communities especially through social media and ethnic media advertising.

The splash of cash by the two major parties is also an indication of the political shift in the Greek community as well as the influence of Greek Australian advocates.

Once most Greek Australians were Labor voters, however Greek Australians are now as likely to vote Labor, as they are Coalition, or to swing.

In the past, Greek Australian organisations, churches, and media were led by immigrant Greeks who were focused on servicing mainly working-class Greek immigrant needs. Now, all these organisations are run by Australian-born Greeks who are professional, tech-savvy, middle class, and adept at advocacy and lobbying.

Issues are different now. Ageing, language maintenance, taxes, small business support, and ethnic media sustainability – especially in these pandemic times – have overtaken issues of unemployment, workers’ rights, housing, and health access, which were at the forefront up until the 1980s.

Faith also is a hot button issue now, after the withdrawal of the Religious Freedom Bill. The Coalition and Labor are spruiking their faith credentials to the conservative members of the community.

The Greek Australian community lobbied well. Not a week went past without a pledge from both major parties.

Communications between organisations, politicians and media were constant and rapid. However, unlike in the past, less coordinated. There was a lack of overarching narrative.

A future challenge is how to coordinate efforts. A holistic approach is needed to ensure that issues that impact on our community are addressed.

Nevertheless, the support is welcome, and underscores the reputation of the Greek Australian community in Australia’s political landscape.

It can be said the Greeks stand to be winners regardless of who wins this federal election.