Victoria’s Hindu temples and Sikh gurdwaras would receive funding for safety and infrastructure upgrades under a Labor election commitment worth more than $11 million, with Sri Durga Temple in Deanside earmarked for the first $1 million.
Premier Ben Carroll announced the proposed Temple and Gurdwara Safety Fund during a visit to Sri Durga Temple on Sunday, November 1. The commitment would be delivered if Labor is re-elected at the November 28 state election.
Under the proposal, funding would support fencing, maintenance, renovation works and car parks at Hindu and Sikh places of worship.
Labor said the fund would help improve safety for worshippers and families, building on existing support for multicultural and multifaith organisations.
Mr Carroll said in the announcement,
“We are proud to stand with Victoria’s Indian and South Asian communities and the safety and security of their families.”
Sri Durga Temple’s proposed $1 million allocation forms part of the broader fund. The announcement did not specify which works would be undertaken at the Deanside temple or provide a construction timetable.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Paul Edbrooke said the commitment was intended to provide practical assistance.
“Labor will help all communities across Victoria feel safe and secure, with practical funds for safety upgrades,” he said.
The proposed fund would sit alongside Victoria’s existing Multicultural Infrastructure and Security Program, which supports community organisations to maintain and upgrade facilities and improve security. Guidelines for the 2025–26 program allocated $2.5 million for maintenance, renovations and security improvements at multicultural and multifaith community facilities.
The new announcement did not outline application dates, grant limits for other organisations, assessment criteria or how funding would be distributed between temples and gurdwaras.
It comes as both major parties make commitments to religious and community organisations ahead of the election.
At Kali Mata Mandir in Craigieburn, Labor has pledged $500,000 for infrastructure upgrades, while the Liberal–National Coalition has promised $600,000 for kitchen improvements. Those commitments concern a separate temple from Sri Durga Temple in Deanside.
Labor’s statement also repeated its campaign claim that the alternative would be a Liberal–One Nation government delivering $40 billion in cuts.
That is Labor’s political characterisation, rather than an announced governing agreement. The Australia Today has previously reported that no Liberal–One Nation coalition had been announced and that the Coalition disputes Labor’s description of its budget proposals.
Opposition Leader Jess Wilson’s published economic plan sets a target of achieving a cash surplus by 2032 and includes a freeze on hiring for back-office roles, alongside a stated commitment to protect essential services and frontline workers.
For temples and gurdwaras considering upgrades, the next details would be the proposed fund’s eligibility rules, application process and delivery schedule, should Labor return to government.
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