Page 544 - Week 03 - Wednesday, 14 March 2007
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that they also may suffer under this attitude. We should not just tolerate people; we should accept and understand people, and in doing so embrace and accept, with enthusiasm, their differences and their similarities, because by accepting and embracing their differences and their similarities we will become a richer community and a stronger community. Let me ask you this question, Mr Speaker: would you prefer to just be tolerated by people or would you prefer them to accept you for the person you are?
I also thank Dr Foskey for her reference to refugees and their recent treatment in Australia by some. Thankfully, Canberra opens its doors and supports refugees that come here, and the Chief Minister has declared that this city is a welcoming city for refugees. Since I have been in this place, one of my greatest pleasures and absolute privileges has been to be able to attend many multicultural events. Indeed, I have been honoured to have the opportunity to speak at a large number of them. In fact, the first function I officiated at following my election was to be chief guest at Diwali, the Festival of Lights, and since then I have attended many Indian community functions and have enjoyed learning more about their customs and traditions, as well as, of course, enjoying much of their wonderful food. Indeed, I recall speaking at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre’s annual Navrang event.
Another event at which I represented the ACT government was the graduation of 20 participants from the work experience and support program, WESP, in November 2006. WESP is an ACT government initiative that provides unemployed skilled migrants with the opportunity to expand their experience in the Australian work force. Each participant receives four weeks intensive office skills training and eight weeks on-the-job experience. It is a wonderful program, and at the end many come out with renewed confidence and new contacts, and a high percentage gain employment as a result of their involvement in a WESP program.
During the November graduation ceremony at the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre I met with and presented the latest group of participants with their certificates. It is heartening that we are able to assist on a practical level in such a way. At that time I explained the story of my parents, who arrived in Australia with very little money but who were able, with opportunities that were presented to them, to enjoy success and enjoy seeing their daughters flourish in their new professions.
Australia has become a land of opportunity for many individuals throughout the decades. Some have come here from across the world with very little money but have made a life for themselves and contributed greatly to this country’s development. That contribution has been made in the form of not only skills and labour but also culture and cuisine. The national capital has benefited from this in farming and construction, small and large business, technology and ideas. This has contributed to the vibrant, cosmopolitan and interesting place that our city is today. We are indeed privileged that so many people from so many diverse cultures have chosen to make Canberra their home.
To reject multiculturalism is to reject the very foundation of modern Australia. As Ms MacDonald has so rightly said, the ACT government supports and celebrates our rich multicultural traditions through the National Multicultural Festival, as well as many other initiatives. This year saw our city play host to the 11th such festival,
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