Page 2331 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 4 August 2021
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announced ACT Events Fund is an example of this. But I note Mr Braddock’s points, and we will continue to work on this and will report back.
We have also been actively translating resources and working with other directorates to encourage this, too—this was touched on during question time today—notably with the Health Directorate with materials about the pandemic, and more recently with ChooseCBR, which very pleasingly had a very big take up from multicultural businesses, something the opposition had called for.
I also acknowledge Mrs Jones’s amendment and thank her for negotiating with me and Mr Braddock on it. This is something that as a government we are also happy to investigate. I acknowledge the amendment extends the reporting time, and I thank the other members for agreeing to this two-month extension. While we are pleased to undertake the important work that this motion calls for, I want to acknowledge that the Office of Multicultural Affairs is a very small team with a very big agenda—over the coming months especially. This small extension gives us a bit more time to do this work.
I put on record on behalf of the ACT government and particularly on my behalf my personal thanks to the office for all of their hard work and thorough engagement with the issues in the past, presently and undoubtedly into the future. I and the broader government are committed to supporting the multicultural community and to ensuring that the ACT remains inclusive and welcoming. I look forward to reporting back to the Assembly on the progress of these actions, and I support the motion and the amendment.
MR BRADDOCK (Yerrabi) (4.36): I thank all parties for their support for this motion. It reflects the critical importance and contribution this community makes to Canberra. Like Minister Cheyne, I also pass on my appreciation to the members of the multicultural affairs office, who work diligently at making our Canberra the community it is today.
I fully support the amendment moved by Mrs Jones. The importance of people to be able to learn English as part of engaging with the government is critical, as is the provision of care for their children to allow them to concentrate on the task at hand. I am happy to support the amendment to the reporting date because I would prefer to see the job done properly rather than the mindless achievement of a specific date.
I say thank you to all of the multicultural community and the contribution you make to Canberra now and in the future. I hope this motion goes some small way in recognising our appreciation of that.
Amendment agreed to.
Original question, as amended, resolved in the affirmative.
Adjournment
Motion (by Mr Gentleman) proposed:
That the Assembly do now adjourn.
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