Labor Budget promises funding for security and social cohesion

This week's Federal Budget includes one of the largest ever investments in Australia’s social cohesion: a $178.4 million for funding for community security, support and mental health.

New funding in the package includes:

• $60.4m to increase security at Jewish and Muslim places of worship
• $44.8m for projects that “critically support” multicultural communities
• $10m to support independent multicultural media
• $1.6m to provide mental health support for Australians affected by the Israel-Hamas war.
• $300,000 for a national database to track hate crimes, which the government promised to develop at January’s national cabinet on antisemitism.

The package also includes previously announced funding of:

• $31.4m to restore Melbourne's Adass Israel synagogue following last year's firebombing attack
• $4 million to support the work of Israeli-Palestinian peacebuilding health organisation Rozana
• $2m to upgrade WA’s Holocaust Institute

The Department of Treasury described the funding as "crucial investments in safeguarding our diverse communities."

Treasurer Jim Chalmers did not refer directly to the social cohesion package in his Budget speech but he referenced the "storm clouds" gathering internationally which are affecting the global economy, including the breakdown of ceasefire in the Middle East.

The Federation of Ethnic Community Councils of Australia welcomed the investment in social cohesion and called for bipartisan support for policies that value diversity and inclusion.

But it said investment is also needed in implementing an anti-racism framework and a human rights act, "both of which are vital for fostering social cohesion and ensuring equal treatment for all Australians, irrespective of background".

Opposition leader Peter Dutton's Budget reply did not address the issue of social cohesion.

READ MORE

Federal Budget 2025: boost to Australia’s social cohesion as Israel-Hamas war rages (The Australian)

Security funding for Jewish, Muslim worship sites in $178m social cohesion package (SBS)

Budget speech (Treasury)

2025 Federal Budget response (FECCA)