Page 5253 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 29 November 2017
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Just as the Affordable Housing Advisory Group played a key role in the community consultations leading up to and at the housing summit, I envisage that the Multicultural Advisory Council will play an invaluable role in supporting broad community consultation to identify key issues facing Canberrans from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the lead-up to the multicultural summit. There will also be various opportunities early next year for community members, in addition to council members, to contribute to planning for the multicultural summit, and I would welcome their contributions.
Our Canberra community is a culturally and linguistically diverse community, as I have said, and it is important that perspectives reflecting a breadth of backgrounds, faiths and languages are captured in the lead-up to the summit. I look forward to updating the Assembly on plans moving forward to prepare for the multicultural summit over the coming months.
MS CODY: Minister, how will the council contribute to the government’s commitments in the multicultural framework?
MS STEPHEN-SMITH: I thank Ms Cody for her supplementary question. In the answer to my last question, I indicated that the Multicultural Advisory Council would be guided by a work plan. Part of that work plan relates to the multicultural summit, as I said, and part relates to the ACT multicultural framework. The council will have a lot of work to do. The ACT multicultural framework 2015-20 sets out the ACT government’s continued commitment to valuing, strengthening and protecting our vibrant multicultural community.
I previously reported on progress under the ACT multicultural framework 2015-20 to the Assembly in September and flagged that the council would assist with its implementation in future years. Actions and outcomes under the framework are designed to achieve three key objectives in relation to Canberra’s multicultural communities. They are: accessible and responsive services; citizenship, participation and cohesion; and capitalising on the benefits of cultural diversity.
The ACT Multicultural Advisory Council will promote these objectives through oversight of the current framework action plan and assisting in formulating a new action plan beyond the 2017-18 time frame of the current three-year plan. Members of the council will draw on the outcomes of the summit and their own experience and knowledge to contribute to the new action plan. I look forward to working with them in doing this work, guided, of course, by them and their expertise. The work will ensure that we continue to provide opportunities for all to participate and contribute to the multicultural way of life we all enjoy in this capital city.
Suburban Land Agency—valuations
MR PARTON: My question is to the Minister for Housing and Suburban Development. I refer to contract 28241, which is for the panel of commercial and residential agents of the ACT. Minister, how common is it for officers of the Suburban Land Agency to seek advice from the panel of commercial and residential agents without proceeding with a formal valuation of the relevant block of land?
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