Tuesday, 18 March 2025

Merri-bek multicultural communities

Anthony CIANFLONE (Pascoe Vale) (19:18): (1070) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and the action I seek is for the minister to provide an update on the work being undertaken across Merri-bek to build a more resilient and socially cohesive community. As the local MP for Pascoe Vale, Coburg and Brunswick West and as the son of migrant parents, I will always remain committed to doing everything I can to build a more welcoming, vibrant and inclusive community for people of all cultures, faiths and backgrounds. As one community that is proudly diverse, the Merri-bek community has a long and proud history of welcoming generations of migrants from all parts of the world, with around 25 per cent of local residents born overseas. Almost 50 per cent of locals have at least one parent born overseas, many of whom are from non-English-speaking backgrounds, with 34 per cent of locals speaking a language other than English at home. According to the 2021 census, our 171,000 resident community population’s ancestry ranges from 23 per cent English to 15 per cent Italian, 10.5 per cent Irish – Happy St Pat’s Day – 7.6 per cent Scottish, 6 per cent Greek, 3.8 per cent Lebanese, 3.8 per cent Chinese, 3.2 per cent Indian, 3 per cent German, 2.3 per cent Nepalese, 2.1 per cent Turkish, 1.7 per cent Pakistani and 1.7 per cent Maltese. In terms of religion, many residents also belong to one of our many vibrant local faith-based communities, with 23 per cent Roman Catholic, 10 per cent Islamic faith, 5.4 per cent Greek Orthodox faith, 3.6 per cent Hindu, 2.7 per cent Anglican, 2.1 per cent Buddhist and many others from the Uniting Church, Presbyterian, Baptist, Maronite, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Jewish and other faiths.

As members of Parliament, we have an obligation to do everything we can to continue building a stronger, more socially cohesive society. That is why on 9 February I had the privilege of attending Merri-bek celebrations for World Interfaith Harmony Week at the Glenroy library. Founded by the hardworking Reverend Mark Dunn, the Merri-bek Interfaith Network brings together our faith leaders to foster understanding and respect a amongst our religious communities. On the day we heard from many local faith leaders and community members, including Uncle Andrew Gardiner from the Wurundjeri people; mayor Cr Helen Davidson; Imam Moustapha Sarakibi, who is the chairperson; Poppy McNeal from the Baha’i community; Syed Waqar Hussain from Qadri House in Fawkner; Samoan youth choir, Jenne Perlstein from the Jewish community; messages of peace from the Hindu community; Ruth Sandy from the Uniting Church; Sikh messages of peace from Gurdeep Singh Matharoo from the Craigieburn Gurudwara; and a poem of unity from Hidayet Ceylan of the Alevi Federation of Australia.

But the highlight was Reverend Mark Dunn’s insightful and reflective words of particular significance, which I want to share with the house tonight:

In a world scarred by the evils of war, racism, injustice and poverty … we offer this joint Act of Commitment as we look to a shared future …

We commit ourselves, as a people of many faiths, to work together for the common good …

Uniting to build a better society, grounded in values and ideals we share …

Community, personal integrity, a sense of right and wrong, learning, wisdom and love of truth, care and compassion, justice and peace, respect for one another, for the earth and all its creatures …

We commit ourselves, in a spirit of friendship and co-operation, to work together alongside all who share our values and ideals, to help bring about a better world now and for generations to come …

I welcome the minister providing that update for my community so that we can build a stronger, more vibrant multicultural community.