Foreword

Victoria is a proudly diverse state.

Home to the world's oldest continuous cultures, Aboriginal peoples have lived on and looked after this land for more than 60,000 years.

There are more than 250 First Peoples ancestry groups. More than 150 First Peoples languages are still spoken across Australia including 44 language groups and 14 dialects in Victoria and at its borders.

Today, we come from more than 300 different ancestries, speak more than 290 languages, and practice almost 200 faiths.

Our diversity is everywhere, it benefits everything – and it belongs to everyone.

That means the job of protecting our precious multiculturalism – that belongs to all of us too.

Because the truth is, for too many Victorians, racism remain an everyday reality.

Not only does it undermine individual dignity – it erodes our collective sense of fairness, justice, and inclusion.

It stifles our potential and it holds our state back.

It’s why the Victorian Government’s new Anti-Racism Strategy 2024-2029 is aimed at addressing racism in all its forms – from acts of discrimination to systemic bias ingrained in our institutions.

This is Victoria’s first statewide anti-racism strategy and the first of its kind in Australia. But creating a fairer future requires commitment beyond the pages of this document.

It’s why this strategy sets out four key goals, and importantly – the actions that underpin them.

Whether it’s policy reform, community engagement, or education, our Government is committed to championing that change.

We also remain committed to working in collaboration with communities.

Developed alongside leaders, advocates, and individuals with lived experience, this strategy was only made possible by our partners in communities. We’ll continue to work with you – to listen to you – as we deliver on its next steps.

This strategy would also not been possible without the commitment of Victoria’s Anti-Racism Taskforce. Its members gave their time and expertise to develop a strategy that both recognises the impacts of racism and a plan to overcome it.

Finally, we recognise everyone in the Victorian community who has contributed to developing this strategy. This includes the many First Peoples, multicultural and multifaith Victorians who so generously helped to bring this strategy to life.

Thank you for sharing your experiences, your ideas – and your hope for a stronger Victoria.