Page 114 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 15 February 2006
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will always be important that we maintain a watch on those things. Let us see how the government’s management of multicultural affairs goes this year.
MR SPEAKER: The member’s time has expired.
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella) (11.58): I am pleased to endorse the sentiments expressed by the minister responsible for multicultural affairs, John Hargreaves, in highlighting the value placed on human rights and cultural diversity in the ACT. I am, as are all of my government colleagues, very proud to stand alongside the minister in his mission to further engage the multicultural community while embracing the wonderful diversity it creates.
That diversity was on display this month when Canberra underwent a stunning transformation of swirling colour and culture as the National Multicultural Festival swept across the city. From children munching on souvlakis at the Greek Glendi to adults taking in the stunning beauty of the Beijing Modern Dance Company, the festival has once again drawn our community together. In fact, I attended the festival on Saturday night and again on Sunday, and it was absolutely packed. This festival, I believe, is a living testament to the fact that multiculturalism is flourishing in Canberra. As a Canberran, if you were not in the festival, you were probably enjoying the sights and sounds of it.
However, while the festival is an important and spectacular annual event, its public face only lasts for a short time. On the other hand, many multicultural community groups are intensely involved for months leading up to the festival in preparing for their participation in it. This is why the work Mr Hargreaves undertakes in engaging directly with the multicultural community throughout the rest of the year is so important and so valued.
The minister’s series of multicultural forums, which began in June last year and ultimately led to the multicultural summit in December last year, have to be commended. Never before have we seen such a dynamic, direct and innovative way of consulting with the multicultural community. Being able to provide individuals with the opportunity to have their say and provide us, as a government, with feedback directly through the minister is a very liberating notion. As we have already heard, much was learned through the forums and the summit.
The ACT government is proud of the multicultural centre, which serves as a hub of interactions and opportunities for community development. The multicultural centre provides ease of access to resources, advice and support for members of the multicultural and broader communities. These aspects are vital in ensuring that small and emerging communities can be sustained.
While it is widely acknowledged that Canberra is a very successful, open and harmonious community that embraces and respects people from many different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, there still exist some barriers for certain communities to enjoy full participation in our society. Some of those barriers include education and employment. I am happy to report that the current work experience and support program, WESP, mentioned earlier by the minister, goes from strength to strength in providing opportunities for migrants who are finding it difficult to gain employment. Another
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