Page 1372 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 3 May 2016
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Madam Speaker, radio has long been one of the most effective ways that communities around the world can stay in touch. This continues to be the case today, and for migrants radio is important in keeping up with the news from their county of birth as well as their new home. This is why the ACT government invests in hundreds of community radio programs, an important way to combat social isolation for those who do not speak English well, or at all.
Hundreds of community groups have implemented projects through our multicultural grants programs. Since the turn of the century approximately 3,000 projects have been undertaken by community groups to help build our harmonious and inclusive society.
I am particularly pleased to see this commitment to social harmony being expressed in initiatives such as the One Canberra Reference Group Report, which I was happy to table in this Assembly on 27 October 2015. That report is unique because it is a whole-of-community action plan that will help us build and promote a community identity based on a set of values that have been defined by, and for, all Canberrans. That in itself will be the key—promoting the values that our community works together to define.
Just last year I was proud to table the 2015-20 ACT multicultural framework and first action plan. This framework was once more developed collaboratively with an extensive consultation process that drew on the collective ideas of hundreds of people across our community. The plan is built around three broad themes: accessible and responsive services; citizenship, participation and cohesion; and capitalising on the benefits of cultural diversity.
The framework gives full expression to the ACT government’s commitment to promoting equality of opportunity, maintaining social cohesion, building social capital, and minimising social exclusion for culturally and linguistically diverse Canberrans. Some key actions that will be progressed under this framework include a focus on young people through leadership and recognition initiatives, enhancing access to information for refugees, and further investment in social cohesion initiatives outlined in the One Canberra Reference Group Report.
None of this vital work would be possible without the partnerships we have with our multicultural community groups and organisations. In fact, every cultural community in the ACT plays a critical role when it comes to welcoming and supporting new members of our community. These partnerships have grown over time and cannot be underestimated.
In 2005 it was this government that recognised the immense value of these partnerships, culminating in the establishment of our very own Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre. Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre for the past 10 years has been of great use to growing multicultural communities, and it is no secret that in recent times the venue has reached full capacity. Due to the growth of emerging communities, and going into the future, we have started to look at other more appropriate and cost-effective options that would provide local multicultural groups with appropriate venues to conduct their activities.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video