Page 987 - Week 03 - Thursday, 21 March 2019
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again now. As I noted in my remarks during the adjournment debate two days ago, each of us has a role to play in promoting tolerance in our communities, both small and large. We can each begin by promoting love and respect for one another in our homes and in our personal lives. This requires us to get to know and spend time with people who are different to us.
Numerous social observers have pointed out that both technology and modern institutions have made it possible for people to divide into tribes of like-minded individuals, essentially existing in echo chambers where their shared ideas and values are never analysed or questioned. In such a world it takes determined, intentional effort to build relationships with people whose cultures, languages, faith and thoughts differ from our own. It certainly is worth it though.
Yesterday evening I had the privilege of hosting a reception for our territory’s multicultural and faith leaders on the eve of Harmony Day. Guests from dozens of religious organisation, nationalities and languages came to mingle, share food and conversation and enjoy cultural performances together. Everyone got to spend time with an Afghan refugee whose paintings adorned the reception room, symbolic of what I hoped to achieve by bringing people together.
In light of how horrific the past week has been for Canberra’s Islamic communities, I was grateful for the close Muslim friends who attended the event as a show of unity and solidarity. On many occasions these same friends and neighbours have invited me to their places of worship and into their lives. We have broken fast together and had joyful iftar meals and furthered friendship on numerous other occasions. I cherish the opportunity to be with people who desire to share not just their bread but also their faith and compassion.
Last night I took the opportunity to thank these community leaders for all they do. Governments certainly have a role to play in promoting tolerance, but our dedicated multicultural and faith leaders are at the coalface on this issue. I know from personal experience that these good women and men spent thousands of hours in serving their communities and in working to establish real and lasting harmony amongst those communities.
I wish to thank them again today. As Senator Seselja correctly point out last night, harmony does not just happen; it takes planning and hard work, big hearts and heaps of patience. Thankfully, many Canberrans seem committed to this cause.
The desire for harmony does not go unchallenged, though. In recent days a federal politician has again gone public, calling for a ban on Muslim immigration. On behalf of the Canberra Liberals, I proudly denounced Senator Anning’s words when he previously stated that our immigration program should actively discriminate in favour of Europeans. I am happy to once again denounce the senator’s ugly and vicious statements. This is not how a member of the Australian Senate should behave. I and the Canberra Liberals choose harmony over division, understanding over hatred.
MS LE COUTEUR (Murrumbidgee) (3.32): I rise today to talk about the importance of promoting acceptance rather than just tolerance. Tolerance, by definition, is the
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