A contest for the Indian community vote has intensified in the lead-up to Victoria’s November 28 state election, with both the Labor and Liberal parties pledging substantial funding to a small Hindu temple in the Melbourne suburb of Craigieburn. The Kali Mata Mandir, housed in a warehouse and serving the local Hindu community, has become a focal point for competing political promises aimed at winning support.
On October 19, Labor Minister Ros Spence visited the Kali Mata Mandir in her Kalkallo electorate and pledged $500,000 to upgrade the temple’s infrastructure, in addition to offering a share of $100,000 for food relief. A week later, Liberal multicultural affairs spokesman Evan Mulholland announced a $600,000 commitment to fund a new kitchen at the temple, exceeding Labor’s offer. During his appearance, Mr Mulholland engaged the crowd with a traditional chant, underlining the cultural significance of the pledge.
The Kali Mata Mandir, a registered charity, has reported modest revenues alongside financial losses in recent years. Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission records show the temple posted revenues of $122,000 and a loss of $80,000 in 2025, while in 2024 it recorded $41,000 in revenue and a $104,000 loss. Since its registration in 2018, it has tallied roughly $250,000 in revenues with no losses until recent years.
Nath Bhawna Puri, president of the Kali Mata Mandir, welcomed the competing promises from both sides, noting that Ms Spence and Mr Mulholland are well-known figures within the community. She said the funds would be used to enhance facilities and support the temple’s food program, which serves people from diverse backgrounds. On the potential influence of these donations on voting behavior, she remarked that while encouraging people to vote is important, she does not control how they cast their ballots.
The significant pledges reflect the growing political importance of the Indian-Australian community in Victoria. Census data indicates the Indian-born population in the state has risen dramatically from 30,000 in 2001 to 370,000 in 2021, with many residents clustered in Melbourne’s outer southeastern and northwestern suburbs, including areas such as Wyndham, Casey, and Whittlesea. Electorates covering these regions—such as Kalkallo, Werribee, and Narre Warren—have traditionally leaned toward Labor, influenced in part by former Premier Daniel Andrews’ outreach efforts.
However, political observers note a shift toward greater openness to the Liberal Party within parts of the Indian community. A community leader described voters as increasingly strategic, paying close attention to election polls and engaging with both parties to position themselves favorably. Some are reportedly pragmatic about which side to support, reflecting broader electoral trends.
Labor has maintained dominance in these electorates for over a decade, but current polling suggests the party faces a strong challenge. A Liberal campaign source emphasized that their party’s promises—including the funding for Kali Mata Mandir, plans for a new selective-entry school in northern suburbs, and commitments to increase police resources—resonate well with Indian voters, who often prioritize education and community safety.
The heightened competition for the Indian vote underscores the demographic’s rising influence in Victorian politics and the willingness of major parties to invest in culturally significant local institutions as part of their broader campaign strategies.