Victoria's Multicultural Review

The Multicultural Affairs portfolio supports the Victorian Government to achieve its multicultural vision and priorities.

The portfolio works with the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) to foster an inclusive, engaged and harmonious multicultural Victoria.

This is guided by various frameworks and guidelines, including the:

The Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) was established in 1983 under the Victoria Multicultural Act 2011.

The VMC is a key conduit between multicultural communities and the Victorian Government to strengthen cultural diversity in Victoria through consultation, advocacy, celebration and promotion.

They are led by twelve Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor-in-Council for terms of up to four years.

More information is available by visiting the VMC website: multiculturalcommission.vic.gov.au 

George Lekakis AO is a long-standing champion of multicultural communities, with decades of experience advocating for the political, social and economic inclusion of diverse multicultural people.

As the longest serving Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) and former Chairperson of the Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV), his leadership was instrumental in shaping key multicultural policies, including the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001. He has forged strong partnerships across sectors, elevated diverse voices, and continues to be a driving force for equity and representation. Now leading the Whole of Government Review of Multicultural Affairs, George brings a deep commitment to ensuring every community has a seat at the table and a voice in shaping Victoria’s future.

Former Chair of SBS Television (Special Broadcasting Service) and the Australian Multicultural Council and served as Panel Chair for the Commonwealth’s Multicultural Framework Review, May 2023.

He has over 30 years of experience in multicultural affairs and serves on a number of boards and councils including the Australian National Maritime Museum, Emeritus Patron of the Islamic Museum of Australia, is Co-Chair of the Victoria Police Multifaith Council and is a fellow of the Williamson Leadership Program.

Internationally, he established the European Multicultural Foundation. He also introduced the biannual Diversity Matters Conferences for Commonwealth Nations and has promoted the Australian multicultural experience internationally on many occasions.

Carmel Guerra OAM is the founding CEO of the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY), the first organisation in Australia to work exclusively with migrant and refugee young people. CMY is recognised both within Australia and internationally as an industry leader on multicultural youth and family issues, which are now at the forefront of national social policy agendas.

For over 30 years, Carmel has built and strengthened partnerships between young people, support services and local communities across Victoria. She has led the development of innovative ways of meeting challenges in the community and established MYAN Australia, the national body for multicultural youth issues. She has been recognised through numerous accolades including: a Deakin Honorary Doctorate, a Medal of the Order of Australia, the Victorian Premier’s Award for Community Harmony, the Harvard Non-Profit Fellowship, and the Victorian Women’s Honour Roll.