A new community-driven campaign has been launched calling for a fully funded, purpose-built Multicultural Centre in Canberra, amid growing frustration that the nation’s capital continues to miss out on the kind of social infrastructure being delivered in other parts of Australia.

ACT Independent Senator David Pocock today announced the campaign, saying Canberra’s vibrant multicultural community still lacks an appropriate facility for large cultural events, festivals and community gatherings, despite longstanding promises and clear community need.

More than a quarter of Canberra’s residents were born overseas and there are over 200 active multicultural community organisations across the territory. Community leaders say this diversity is one of Canberra’s greatest strengths – but it is not being matched by investment in suitable infrastructure to support it.

Broken Promises And Missed Opportunities

At the 2020 ACT election, the then Labor–Greens governing coalition committed to “construct a large new multicultural events venue at EPIC for cultural performances and available for hire for large private functions, such as weddings.”

Instead, the ACT Government opted to refurbish the existing Fitzroy Pavilion at EPIC. Multicultural community organisations, the ACT Opposition and the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum criticised the move as a broken election promise, arguing the pavilion simply does not meet the specific needs of the community.

Community concerns have centred on the difficulty of booking the venue, the absence of a commercial kitchen and the lack of purpose-built facilities to support large cultural events. Despite those concerns being clearly raised, the refurbished Fitzroy Pavilion opened without a commercial kitchen, offering only a small kiosk – a major shortcoming for communities where food is central to cultural celebration and hospitality.

Senator Pocock wrote to Chief Minister Andrew Barr in 2023 outlining these issues and highlighting the dissatisfaction with both the proposal and the level of consultation. The Chief Minister’s response referred to limited consultations – involving six community organisations and nine individuals – and pointed to a separate commitment for a broader community centre in Gungahlin. Community groups say this falls far short of a dedicated, central multicultural facility for all of Canberra.

Canberra Left Off The Funding Map

Community frustration has been sharpened by recent federal funding decisions that have benefited other regions but not the ACT.

In the lead-up to the last Federal election, federal Labor pledged:

• $106,000 to upgrade multicultural centres in Queanbeyan and Goulburn
• $5 million for a regional multicultural centre in the Illawarra
• $4 million for a multicultural centre in South Dandenong

No comparable commitments were made for Canberra, despite its size, diversity and status as the national capital.

Senator Pocock said it was unacceptable that the ACT kept missing out on the kinds of projects other electorates routinely receive.

“Like many Canberrans, I hate seeing the ACT continually missing out on the kind of projects that other electorates receive federal funding for,” he said.

Social Infrastructure Amid Competing Priorities

The Senator acknowledged that governments at all levels are grappling with tight budgets and multiple pressing priorities, including housing, health – particularly hospitals, GPs and out-of-pocket costs for scans – and education.

But he argued that key social infrastructure like a Multicultural Centre cannot be sidelined, especially when there is clear precedent for federal funding of such projects elsewhere.

“Governments need to genuinely listen to the community, deliver what they commit to rather than some lesser version and keep promises made in the lead up to elections,” Senator Pocock said.

“So much of celebrating culture revolves around food and the absence of a commercial kitchen in the Fitzroy Pavilion refit renders it inadequate for its intended purpose.”

Community-Driven Campaign Begins

To put the issue firmly back on the agenda, Senator Pocock is backing a community-led push for a new, purpose-built Multicultural Centre for Canberra that meets the practical needs of multicultural communities and reflects their contribution to the city.

As part of the campaign, he is launching:

• A dedicated website to explain the case for a Multicultural Centre and track progress
• A petition calling on both the ACT and Federal Governments to commit to and fully fund a new, purpose-built facility
• A community survey to gather detailed input on what the centre must include to be fit for purpose, from layout and capacity to kitchen, performance and meeting spaces

Feedback from the survey will shape a detailed community-informed proposal that Senator Pocock plans to take into upcoming federal budget negotiations and ongoing discussions with the ACT Government.

Town Hall Launch In Belconnen

The campaign is being officially launched at Senator Pocock’s fourth and final booked-out community Town Hall event for the year in Belconnen.

There, community leaders, multicultural organisations and local residents are expected to share their experiences of trying to host large cultural events in Canberra and outline what they need from a dedicated Multicultural Centre.

For many, the campaign represents not just a push for bricks-and-mortar infrastructure, but a call for recognition and respect.

They argue that a well-designed, accessible Multicultural Centre – with proper performance spaces, flexible halls, meeting rooms and a fully equipped commercial kitchen – would become a focal point for cultural celebration, social cohesion and community connection in Canberra for decades to come.

After more than ten years of advocacy and repeated disappointments, community leaders say it is time for both the ACT and Federal Governments to commit and deliver.

As the campaign slogan puts it: It’s time to put a Multicultural Centre for Canberra back on the agenda – and this time, to get it done.