Page 985 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 March 2019
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The ACT has also taken steps to show national leadership on inclusion. We were one of the first jurisdictions to sign up to become a refugee welcome zone. We recognise that people fleeing violence and persecution have lots to contribute to Canberra and to our country. We also strongly opposed changes to section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. We do not believe people have a right to be bigots and spew hateful rhetoric about others based on their culture or skin colour. Words are powerful and we do not want to give free rein to the disturbing and growing alt-right culture of racial resentment and bigotry. We saw this, unfortunately, in Christchurch just recently.
Locally, the ACT government has committed to the multicultural framework 2015-20, which highlights what we are doing as a government in supporting and protecting our cultural diversity. This includes a range of grants programs such as the ACT participation (multicultural) grants, where we have committed more than $260,000 each year to grassroots community organisations for projects that enhance our multicultural communities. This funding helps them develop new ideas and programs that promote tolerance and inclusion in the ACT.
We must always lead the way in promoting tolerance but, more importantly, inclusion in our country and our city. Recent tragic events show us what intolerance and divisiveness create. We need to stand together, strengthen our communities and say proudly that we will not offer support to or indulge extremists and racists. Canberra is stronger when we celebrate our differences. Let’s keep it that way.
MR STEEL (Murrumbidgee—Minister for City Services, Minister for Community Services and Facilities, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Roads) (3.24): I am pleased to speak today about the importance of promoting tolerance and inclusion in the ACT. Our territory does not rest at seeking tolerance, because tolerance is not enough to build a truly inclusive community. A tolerant existence precludes the opportunity to build fully realised relationships with others. Our city chooses inclusion.
The ACT government’s agenda is to continue making Canberra more inclusive, progressive and connected, which means we will get on with the job of delivering better infrastructure, services and community supports. We recognise that owning a home or finding secure, affordable and suitable housing is a challenge for many Canberrans. We will continue to focus on improving housing affordability and supply in 2019 because we know this is central to our city’s inclusiveness.
Being a truly inclusive city means ensuring everyone has fair and equal access to justice, whether they are a victim, accused of a crime or involved in a civil case. Following extensive consultation with the disability and legal communities, we will finalise a disability justice strategy for the ACT in the first half of this year.
The government has signed a new 10-year ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreement with the chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body and the Head of Service. The new agreement sets out the ongoing commitment of the government, the elected body and the community to recognise and respond to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in the ACT.
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