Page 2551 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 1 August 2018
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The ACT government, to celebrate our diversity through the implementation of the ACT multicultural framework 2015-20, did indeed commit to a range of actions and outcomes. As I have mentioned, each year the Minister for Multicultural Affairs tables a statement that details the activities undertaken on actions and outcomes under the framework. I look forward to once again updating the Assembly later this year on the continued progress that the ACT makes to support and empower Canberrans from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
In my ministerial statement last September I advised members of the range of work being undertaken against the 19 actions listed in the first action plan, covering 2015-16 and 2016-17 particularly. Progress is being made against these actions; indeed, many of the actions are complete.
My last statement was clear and candid about what had been done, and what was not completed at that time. Mrs Kikkert is right that some of the advice I received at that time was somewhat optimistic about the time frames for completing the work that was not yet done at that time. Some of that, like the diversity register, has since been completed. However, we also need to recognise that things move on year by year, that completing actions listed in a framework does not necessarily mean that our work towards creating an inclusive and welcoming community is done, and that more actions arise as we continue to consult with the community.
The ACT government continues to provide ongoing support through regular funding rounds to community organisations that work with and represent the multicultural community. In April 2018 Multicultural Employment Service was granted funding to work with other ACT and regional settlement services to provide individual case-managed employment support, enhancing services provided by Job Active and ensuring that all clients understand their work rights and entitlements. This includes refugees living in the ACT who are unable to find employment, ACT services access card holders and asylum seekers residing in the ACT on bridging visas with work rights, and people residing in the ACT from non-English-speaking backgrounds with employment entitlements who have been unable to access meaningful employment. This is, of course, one of the election commitments that was made, in relation to job brokerage support for refugees and migrants from non-English-speaking backgrounds.
Similarly, in May 2018 Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services was contracted to deliver three English language programs for refugees, asylum seekers on bridging visas and ACT services access card holders living in the ACT, fulfilling another element of that ACT Labor election commitment.
The ACT government are taking every opportunity to build on the earlier work, and we are now looking to the future, including the development of a second action plan to cover 2019-20. Noting that I will provide an update to the Assembly later this year, as per the regular practice of ministers in this portfolio, I do not intend now to detail the progress made since my last statement. But I do wish to speak on the work currently underway that will lead towards the multicultural summit to be held later this year and the development of the second action plan under the broader framework.
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