Page 1807 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 8 June 2016
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We will certainly not be supporting paragraphs 1(e) and 2(a) of the motion because the Labor Party’s own website states precisely the same language: we have had a bipartisan understanding that people who come here as refugees do have a tough time. We will do everything that we can to back them up and to have enough money to support them properly. We have done it for generations and there should be no change. Base political games should not be played in this area.
MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Minister for Housing, Community Services and Social Inclusion, Minister for Multicultural and Youth Affairs, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women) (11.37): I thank Mr Hinder for bringing forward this motion today. I was very pleased to hear Mrs Jones speak so passionately about her support for the inclusive community that we celebrate here in the ACT. I want to start today, in speaking in support of this motion, by telling the story of a man, Hashmat Shafaq, who was born in Behsood, Kabul.
Hashmat is a Hazara, one of Asia’s oldest racial minorities, that come with an artistic and cultural heritage that dates back to before the sixth century AD. Before the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, Hashmat, a woodworker, had a furniture business for over 20 years. Seeing thousands of his people killed by the Taliban in areas neighbouring his town, Hashmat knew he needed to find a safe place for his family. He was one of several thousand Hazaras who fled their home. Hashmat’s journey to this country was reluctant, as is the case for many refugees and asylum seekers. No-one leaves their home unless they are forced to.
When Hashmat arrived in Canberra, he did not know a word of English. He suggests that even today his English is not that good. He explains that in his line of work he does not need to know much English, that work being as a talented woodworker before he left his home in Afghanistan. These are skills that he uses effectively today, as the successful owner of a furniture business in Woden.
Another story that some of us may be familiar with is that of Theo Notaras, a well-known and loved Canberran of Greek origin who migrated to Australia at the age of 14. Theo was an innovative and highly successful businessman and an ardent supporter of Canberra. In addition to being a proud Canberran, Theo was the founder and first president of the Greek community in Canberra, and a founding member of the Hellenic Club. Theo died in 2001, leaving a strong legacy of contribution to Canberra and the Greek community here in the ACT. Chief Minister Jon Stanhope renamed the Canberra Multicultural Centre the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre. Theo did not know a word of English when he arrived in Australia either.
I am a firm believer in working to understand views which are different from mine. It is for this reason that as the minister for multicultural affairs I have been able to spend a lot of my time talking to people throughout our community about refugees and asylum seekers. As I chat to different people, I am reminded time and again of what a proud and welcoming home to different people and cultures Canberra has become, and continues to be.
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