This funding is being delivered through the Federal Labor Government’s $50 million Securing Faith-Based Places program, designed to help protect Australians from crime and violence motivated by religious or racial intolerance by funding security guards and security infrastructure, including cameras, lights and fencing.

The $255,837 project at the Stupa is currently being implemented across four stages, with stage one seeing the successful implementation of new security cameras, upgraded server and security software and extra hard drives for future expansion.

Stage one was completed prior to a vandalism incident on 5 May, which saw several statues and artefacts damaged at the Great Stupa.

Stage two of the security upgrades will begin in the coming months.

The $50 million Securing Faith-Based Places program reaffirms the Federal Labor Government’s commitment to ensuring that people of all faiths can live in Australia free from violence and discrimination.

Grants ranging from $25,000 - $500,000 have been approved in every state and territory across different faith communities, awarded through an open, competitive and merit-based process.


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP:

“Bendigo has a proud multi-faith community and its important locals feel safe from racial and religious discrimination.

“The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion attracts visitors from all over the world and these grants will help protect the site by funding CCTV, security systems, motion detectors and alarms.

“The vandalism that occurred in May is a reminder of the need to address the security risks at places of faith and cultural significance.”