MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, 20 May 2025 

2025/26 Victorian state budget: what matters most to migrant and refugee women and gender diverse people 

The 2025/26 Victorian state budget focuses on what matters most to Victorians, and some of it hits that mark. This budget commits over $11b to health, including expanded hospitals, more opportunities to access medication in pharmacies instead of needing to see a GP, an expansion of the virtual Emergency Department, and additional urgent care clinics. A continued four-year commitment to funding for the sexual and reproductive health information line, 1800MyOptions, is an important win for women’s health.  

Other initiatives such as free public transport for under 18’s will make a significant difference to migrant and refugee parents, especially those who are feeling the worst impacts of the cost-of-living crisis. Free weekend travel for seniors will not only help financially but also help reduce social isolation of older migrant and refugee women and gender diverse people.  

It is good to see that the budget includes a continued commitment to preventing gendered violence in Victoria. While it is disappointing to see that there is no growth in funding, which is needed if we are to continue to make inroads in stopping gendered violence before it happens, we are very pleased to see an additional four-year funding commitment for prevention and early intervention work in multicultural and multi-faith communities.

This budget missed an opportunity to continue the Victorian Government’s program to boost gender equality for all. While Victoria continues to lead the nation in measures for gender equality, there is a long way to go, particularly when it comes to migrant and refugee women. There remain many initiatives in Victoria’s Gender Equality Strategy, Our Equal State, that require targeted and sustainable funding. The budget does not allocate funding for important programs for women and gender equality activities, among these the MCWH PACE leadership program, despite its success over 15 years in bringing many hundreds of migrant and refugee women and gender diverse people to the leadership table.  

"For Victoria to truly achieve gender equality for all we must ensure that specific gender equality and tailored leadership programs are funded, accessible and equitable" explains Dr Adele Murdolo, MCWH's CEO.  

This year’s budget makes many positive investments in a tight fiscal environment. We hope that for future budgets, we see a more robust investment into gender equality and primary prevention, both in the areas of health and gendered violence, because these issues matter most for migrant and refugee women and gender diverse people.

For all media inquiries:
Dr Adele Murdolo
CEO, Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health
adele@mcwh.com.au

Notes: Read the full budget submission here.