Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen AM has issued an apology to the Indian-Australian community after the Commission’s Annual Report 2024–25 featured a distorted map of India, which sparked widespread outrage.
In a statement following the controversy, Nguyen acknowledged the mistake and expressed regret over the offence caused.
“I, however, acknowledge and regret that the report included a graphic representation of India – and I apologise for the offence that caused.”
“The VMC understands the concern among community members. We greatly value our relationship and friendship with Victoria’s Indian community,” she added.
The VMC took immediate steps to rectify the original publication’s digital version – removing the graphic in the digital publication and reaffirming our commitment to respectful representation of all communities.”
Nguyen added that the Annual Report captured “a year of achievements, advocacy and engagement, set against a backdrop of global uncertainty and local challenges.”
The event also featured an address from Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt MP, who discussed the VMC’s role in promoting unity and harmony and outlined plans for the new body, Multicultural Victoria.
Earlier, The Australia Today reported that Shadow Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs Evan Mulholland had condemned the publication of the distorted map, describing it as “a profound insult to every Indian-Australian in this state.”
“The VMC shows a stunning and offensive lack of cultural awareness,” Mulholland said in a statement.
He added, “How could a government body entrusted with inclusion erase parts of India from an official state document? This is the direct consequence of the Labor Government gutting and starving the VMC of resources. When you treat a vital body like the VMC as a political afterthought, you get this kind of reckless incompetence.”
“Jacinta Allan must immediately apologise to the Indian-Australian community for this inexcusable failure.”
Maribyrnong Mayor Pradeep Tiwari has welcomed Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) Chair Vivienne Nguyen AM’s public apology over the publication of a distorted map of India in the Commission’s Annual Report.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Vivienne Nguyen for her thoughtful acknowledgment and apology regarding the recent publication error.”
Mayor Tiwari commended Nguyen’s long-standing support for the Indian community and appreciated the VMC’s swift action to correct the issue.
“Your transparency and willingness to engage openly reflect the true spirit of collaboration that underpins Victoria’s multicultural success,” Tiwari added, saying he looked forward to continuing to strengthen unity and shared pride across the state.
The controversy began when community members shared screenshots from the report showing major Indian regions — including Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, and parts of the north-east such as Sikkim, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh — missing or misrepresented.
The Consulate General of India in Melbourne has also raised the issue with the Victorian Premier’s office, demanding “immediate correction and apology by the concerned authorities.”
Nguyen’s apology marks the first formal acknowledgement of the error from the Commission, following days of criticism and growing pressure from the community and opposition MPs.
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