Page 1815 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 8 June 2016
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of Multicultural Affairs was established under the Hawke government in 1987. Whilst John Howard refused to acknowledge multiculturalism, Labor announced a new multicultural policy for Australia, supported with funding and prioritisation. The AMC informed generational investment from 2007-13, run by Peter Shergold AC. Labor funded changes to how multicultural communities can best support new migrants while identifying mainstream services where access and equity was inadequate.
That is in contrast to the coalition’s record. The Abbott-Turnbull government does not have an articulated policy on multiculturalism. After nearly three years in government, the community is yet to see evidence of what a coalition government believes in—apart from funding cuts. The rhetoric of the government and certain government MPs, including Senator Bernardi and George Christensen, has undermined multiculturalism and done great harm to migrant communities. The Abbott-Turnbull government ceased the building multicultural communities program after cutting $11.5 million from the program in 2013-14.
I also note that Mrs Jones made points about her own family’s history in her delivery, and Mr Doszpot shared some of his own and his family’s history about their arrival here in Australia as migrants some years ago.
Mr Doszpot: Refugees.
MR HINDER: Sorry, as refugees, some years ago. If I understand them correctly, that then means that the Liberals understand refugees. I think that was the comment Mrs Jones made. If this is true, then my criticism must be even more sticking in that Mr Dutton loses ignorance as an excuse for his disgraceful, divisive and ignorant vote grab. And I assume, then, that because my own ancestors are Anglo-Celtic I lose any capacity to understand or speak out for those who are not English. In fact, Mrs Jones accused me of being Anglo-centric; I think that was the word she used.
So whilst Mr Dutton loses ignorance as an excuse, I will allow that excuse for Mrs Jones in that she may not know that my wife of 25 years is Chinese and that her family came here on boats in the 60s. They suffered racism all through their lives. My children are half-Chinese. Does Mrs Jones then think that I do not understand racism and that my family has not suffered or seen racism? My children do not look European; they look Asian. My children are not white. To suggest that I am Anglo-centric is to ignore the fact that we are all Australian now, and to be Australian is not to put up with the sorts of comments Mr Dutton has made. Mr Dutton’s comments make it all right for European Australians to take a less tolerant view of non-Europeans.
Members interjecting—
Dr Bourke: Point of order.
MADAM SPEAKER: Point of order, Dr Bourke.
Dr Bourke: Madam Speaker. Persistent interjections from the opposition are interrupting Mr Hinder in his speech, and I ask you to take the appropriate action.
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