Federal Labor announces $60,000 for Hinchinbrook Australian Italian Festival

 9 JANUARY 2022

Labor Leader Anthony Albanese committed $60,000 to the support of the Hinchinbrook Australian Italian Festival during his Better Future for Queensland tour today.

 “This festival attracts thousands of visitors to the region every year and is a significant artistic and cultural event highlighting the Italian influence on Ingham and North Queensland,” Mr Albanese said.

 “But like so many events across Australia, the pandemic has forced cancellations and reduced the numbers of visitors over the past two years.”

“The Hinchinbrook Shire has a proud Italian heritage built by the many Italian immigrants who came to Ingham in the late 1800s and early 1900s to work in the cane fields, and who stayed to raise their families in North Queensland.”

“This Funding recognises the contribution the Italo-Australian community have made in this region.”

The Festival President, Pino Giandomenico, welcomed the announcement, “It will be great to finally see federal funding flow to our local community to support this important festival,” he said.

While the Australian Italian Festival's focus is on the Italian culture, it is also inclusive of the entire community who have made Ingham and the Hinchinbrook Shire so culturally diverse.

This year will mark the 28th anniversary of the festival and Labor’s commitment of $20,000 over each of the next three years will help to keep this event support the important heritage, culture and diversity of the Hinchinbrook Shire.