Page 2085 - Week 07 - Thursday, 24 June 2021
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for sexuality and gender-diverse people, women, people with a disability and others when people make certain statements which are discriminatory based in religion. Religious organisations will be allowed to discriminate against others with different beliefs or no belief, even when providing publicly funded services.
It is on that basis that in the lead-up to the end of this financial year, as those among us who are philanthropic consider where they may make tax-deductible contributions, I encourage all members, and all those in the community who are as concerned about this bill as I, to make a donation to Equality Australia, who continue to lead on this important piece of advocacy. It goes to show that while our community took a deep sigh of relief when marriage equality was legislated, there will always be those in our community who seek to hold us back. Those of us in a leadership position will use our power as best we can to fight back.
Standing orders—suspension
Motion by Ms Orr agreed to, with the concurrence of an absolute majority:
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the adjournment debate continuing for a further 15 minutes.
World Refugee Week
MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra—Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Business and Better Regulation, Minister for Human Rights and Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (5.06): I rise today, because it is World Refugee Week, to acknowledge and celebrate the continuing contributions made by refugees and asylum seekers in the ACT and to reaffirm, as a government, our commitment to supporting those in need. World Refugee Week is an important event held every year to celebrate the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
The story of Daniel and his support worker Eagle was recently shared with me. Their story starts well before either arrived in Australia, with Daniel’s and Eagle’s fathers working together back in their home country. Having worked with the Canberra Multicultural Hub for over 12 years, Eagle is now working with Daniel and his extended family to help them settle in Australia, improve their proficiency in English, and find secure work. Daniel has worked in a local recycling plant for the last eight months and loves his work. He no longer has to worry about food or shelter or the challenges of life in a refugee camp—simple things that we can all too easily take for granted. There are many stories just like Daniel’s throughout the ACT. These are the journeys of individuals and families who contribute so much to Canberra’s rich cultural tapestry.
World Refugee Week is also a timely opportunity to remind the Assembly of the ACT’s official status as a refugee welcome zone, proudly introduced by Minister Berry in 2015. This declaration is a commitment to welcoming refugees and asylum seekers into our community, upholding the human rights of these individuals,
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