Page 1186 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 29 March 2017
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We note and appreciate the efforts of the ACT government in particular over the last month to proactively promote or participate in events that encourage inclusion such as the ones mentioned by the two previous speakers but, in particular, the Connect and Participate Expo, Seniors Week, International Women's Day, the Multicultural Festival and the marriage equality week. All of these events have been very happily supported by the Greens. These events enable Canberra residents to engage with each other across the divides, to celebrate their unique contributions to our community and to break down stereotypical ideas and myths.
The Greens suggest, however, that it takes more than public events to encourage cohesion and that deliberate attempts to make Canberra more inclusive should include things more on a one-to-one scale, such as ensuring that interpreter services are available for newly arrived migrants and refugees to ensure that they understand what services are available to them, how to access these services and where to go for assistance when they need it. I would also in this instance note the efforts of transition towns which are being championed by SEE-Change. They are building local communities to help us transition to a more environmentally and socially sustainable future.
We also must make sure that interpreter services include services for the hearing impaired. When we think of interpreters, we should not think just of languages; we should think of Auslan interpreters as well. Additionally, we need to make sure that government facilities such as meeting rooms and community halls include hearing loops so that we can genuinely include people with hearing impairments in our events and activities.
When we think and speak about diversity we must not forget those with disabilities who are often more marginalised and suffer disproportionate violence and struggle in a world made primarily for able-bodied people.
And when it comes to refugees, the Greens have always been outspoken against the current regime. We call for the closure of camps on Manus and Nauru, and I am looking forward to joining the Refugee Action Committee next week in their call for a more humane response to those who seek asylum on our shores. I will be joining them at the Palm Sunday rally, as I have done over many previous years. By accepting refugees and asylum seekers into our country and into our region, we become richer, more diverse and more vibrant.
All people, regardless of their ethnicity, culture, religion, language or place of birth have equal rights in our society. The ACT Greens support our multicultural communities to connect with their language and culture, to build relationships with each other and with the broader community.
Public attacks on religious and ethnic groups show the need to continue to educate our community about diversity and the rights of all people to live without being discriminated against or vilified on the basis of their face, race or ethnicity. The Greens are very concerned about the proposed watering down of section 18C of the
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