Page 2552 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 1 August 2018
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A community consultation process about the summit themes will soon commence, with the expert guidance of the Multicultural Advisory Council, the appointment of which fulfilled another commitment under the parliamentary agreement. I established the council last year and they already provide a platform for Canberra’s culturally and linguistically diverse communities to have their issues heard and to work closely with the ACT government. Their contributions are valued and welcome.
As members would be aware, the MAC, as it is known, has been working with the ACT government to develop and deliver the 2018 ACT multicultural summit. The summit, which, as I said, will be held later this year, will identify outcomes and actions to deliver on the ACT government’s social inclusion efforts across health, youth, economic development and community cohesion. Identified outcomes will inform the second action plan and positively contribute to the ACT government’s vision for Canberra as a growing city.
The four themes that will be discussed and considered by the multicultural community at the summit are, firstly, Canberra, a city where diversity is valued—supporting economic development, employment and entrepreneurial outcomes for all; secondly, Canberra, a city where everyone belongs—recognising, supporting and embracing diversity; thirdly, Canberra, a healthy and accessible city—ensuring the accessibility of all services for CALD Canberrans; and, fourthly, Canberra’s future—embracing the youth of today to build the future of tomorrow.
The MAC have been crucial in developing these themes, and I thank them for the advice they have provided to me to date. Following the upcoming community consultation on the ACT multicultural summit discussion papers, my 2018 ministerial statement will provide a more detailed report on the ACT multicultural framework first action plan 2015-18 and update the Assembly on progress with the development of the ACT multicultural framework second action plan.
I am proud of the progress this government has made in supporting the remarkable and talented members of our multicultural community and in planning for the future of our socially inclusive and vibrant city. In addition to an update on the summit, this ministerial statement will also provide advice on a range of actions, including how the ACT is improving access to health services for newly arrived migrants in the Gungahlin area through the Gungahlin community health centre.
I will also be sharing with the Assembly how the ACT government is capitalising on the benefits of cultural diversity by supporting migrants to launch their own business enterprises through the ACT micro credit program run by Lighthouse Business Innovation Centre. I look forward to providing further detail when I provide my report to the Assembly against the ACT multicultural framework first action plan. I am confident that significant progress against the actions developed with and for our multicultural community will be demonstrated to members at that time.
I of course remain absolutely committed to ongoing consultation with the multicultural community. I encourage Mrs Kikkert and any other members of this place who are receiving representations from the multicultural community, where they
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