WITH Ipswich recognised as one of Queensland’s most culturally diverse regions, with residents from 163 countries speaking more than 152 languages, both major candidates have outlined commitments to multicultural services and Indigenous affairs.
LNP candidate Carl Mutzelburg and incumbent Labor MP Shayne Neumann have each announced a suite of funding pledges and community initiatives aimed at supporting the city’s rich cultural landscape and addressing the needs of First Nations communities.
Their proposals include new community hubs, targeted youth programs, healthcare upgrades, and policy reforms – all with a shared focus on inclusion, respect, and practical outcomes for local residents.
Mr Mutzelburg said he had spent the past year engaging with various local cultural groups, including members of the African community, to better understand their concerns and identify ways to provide meaningful support.
“As the LNP candidate for Blair, I am deeply committed to supporting our vibrant multicultural community,” he said.
“These groups are the heartbeat of our city, and they deserve spaces and services that reflect their contributions.”
To back this commitment, the Liberal National Party has pledged $5 million to Village Support Ltd for the development and operation of a new multicultural community facility.
An additional $5.5 million has been allocated to support the House of India project in Springfield, envisioned as an inclusive multicultural hub open to all cultures, with a strong focus on practical community needs.
“These investments reflect our belief in the strength of our diversity,” Mr Mutzelburg said.
On Indigenous affairs, he said the LNP’s focus was on delivering practical solutions, particularly in regional and remote areas.
Mr Neumann also reaffirmed his government’s support for multiculturalism and Indigenous wellbeing, pointing to the Albanese Government’s track record of investment in the Blair electorate.
“We share this continent with the oldest living culture on Earth and it is vital that we respect and take pride in this shared history, and for all cultural communities in Blair to keep connected to language and culture,” Mr Neumann said.
During this term, Mr Neumann delivered $2.5 million in funding to upgrade Kambu Health Service, which supports the local Indigenous community.
He also matched the LNP’s funding pledge, committing $5.5 million to the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ).
Mr Neumann has also committed $700,000 to upgrade the floors at Springfield Central’s YMCA building, which serves as a home to more than 40 multicultural community groups.
Additionally, $4 million in federal funding has been allocated to the African Youth Centre in Redbank Plains, part of a broader $20 million national investment in community-led grassroots initiatives for African communities.
“Ensuring that we have strong partnerships in the community will go a long way to improving employment and education opportunities for young African Australians at risk.”
Both candidates have made it clear that multiculturalism and Indigenous affairs are central to their vision for Ipswich’s future.
