The Coalition has pledged $5.5 million to establish a permanent cultural and community centre dedicated to the Indian diaspora in Queensland. The announcement, made over the weekend by Senator Paul Scarr, was welcomed by community leaders as a long-awaited recognition of the growing presence and contribution of Indian Australians in the state.
The House of India, set to be located in the federal electorate of Blair, is envisioned as a multi-purpose hub for cultural performances, community events, and heritage preservation. It’s being led by the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland (FICQ), which has campaigned for a permanent facility to serve the state’s fast-growing Indian community for over a decade.
Dr Preethi Suraj, President of FICQ, described the announcement as a breakthrough moment.
“Senator Scarr, your announcement today marks a major milestone in our long-standing aspiration to establish a multicultural cultural and community hub that truly reflects the spirit, heritage and contributions of the Indian diaspora in Queensland,” she said at the event.
She added that the House of India would become more than a meeting space—offering future generations a place to honour traditions, share stories and build community ties.
Carl Mutzelburg, the Liberal National candidate for Blair, attended the announcement alongside Jason Wood MP, Kevin Burns (LNP candidate for Oxley), and members of the Springfield City Group, which has backed the project’s proposed location.
Although the exact site has not yet been finalised, Springfield—one of the fastest-growing suburbs in South East Queensland—has long been home to a vibrant Indian population, and is considered a likely location.
According to census data, the number of Indian-born residents in Queensland grew by nearly 60 per cent between 2016 and 2021, with a notable concentration in outer-metropolitan corridors such as Ipswich, Springfield, and Logan. While Victoria and New South Wales still have the highest Indian populations, Queensland’s Indian community has been among the fastest growing in relative terms.
The Coalition’s announcement was aimed not only at addressing infrastructure needs, but also at countering the perception that multicultural communities have been underserved in federal funding allocations. It comes ahead of the next federal election, where outer-suburban seats like Blair and Oxley are expected to be hotly contested.
LNP figures have been making visible efforts in recent months to engage with Indian-Australian voters—many of whom are first-generation migrants with strong ties to culture and family. As cost-of-living pressures mount, both major parties are being forced to recalibrate their approach to migrant communities, shifting from symbolism to service delivery.
Jason Wood, who previously served as Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs, said the Coalition had always valued the contribution of the Indian diaspora. “The House of India will be a visible and lasting symbol of that contribution,” he said.
The pledge from the Coalition is contingent on winning government at the next federal election, which is not due until 2025. Nonetheless, FICQ and other community organisations say they are hopeful the funding commitment will spur progress regardless of political outcomes.
Springfield City Group, a key backer of the proposal, expressed its full support for the project. Representatives from the group said the House of India aligns with its broader vision of turning Springfield into a thriving, inclusive satellite city with infrastructure to match its growing population.
While no design or architectural plans have yet been released, early proposals suggest the House of India will include performance spaces, meeting rooms, cultural archives and exhibition areas—allowing for both formal and informal events. It is also expected to serve as a venue for language classes, dance workshops, and youth leadership initiatives, bridging generations within the diaspora.
The proposal has been praised by Indian community organisations across the state, including groups representing Telugu, Tamil, Punjabi, Gujarati, and Malayali speakers. Several community leaders said the move brought Queensland in line with other states that already had dedicated Indian cultural hubs, such as Victoria’s Indian Community Centre in Melbourne.
There has been growing interest from the business community as well, particularly among Indian-Australian entrepreneurs and professionals, many of whom see the centre as a potential hub for networking and cultural diplomacy.
“This is long overdue,” one attendee said at the event. “We’ve always had a strong presence here in Queensland, but this is the first time we’re seeing something that really reflects who we are—our history, our values, our contributions.”
While some local residents raised questions about ongoing operational funding and future maintenance of the facility, FICQ said the next phase of the project will focus on planning, partnerships and long-term sustainability.
“It’s not just about bricks and mortar,” said Dr Suraj. “It’s about community, connection and continuity. This house will belong to every Indian Australian in Queensland.”
Whether or not the funding is matched or carried forward by the current Labor government remains to be seen, but the announcement has clearly put the issue on the national agenda.
As Dr Suraj summed it up, “This is a legacy project—one that generations to come will remember as the place where the Indian story in Queensland found its permanent home.”
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🏛️The Coalition pledges $5.5m for Queensland’s first permanent Indian cultural centre.🎉Led by @FICQinc, the House of India aims to honour heritage, connect communities & foster inclusion in Springfield.🤝Accouncement welcomed as a historic. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/h8ZmFCs8li
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) April 15, 2025
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