Thursday, 21 March 2024

Ministers statements: social cohesion

Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:48): Today is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which acknowledges the need for collective efforts to address and prevent racism, discrimination and vilification in all forms. This is also Cultural Diversity Week, a time to celebrate our diverse multicultural and multifaith communities in Victoria. These two ideas are not incompatible. Victorians come from more than 200 countries, speak 290 different languages and follow 135 different faiths. There is much to celebrate about the success of our multiculturalism. While Cultural Diversity Week focuses on those with a migrant, refugee or asylum seeker background, it is also an important time to acknowledge the important role of First Nations people in Victoria.

I know that many of the government members are fierce champions for their many diverse communities, and our social cohesion is very precious. It is important that we all do what we can to not seek to further divide Victorians. It is in this context that it is more important than ever to oppose racism and discrimination, to continue to break down cross-cultural barriers and to reconnect through shared understanding, compassion and unity. It is why we established the Anti-Racism Taskforce, it is why the Attorney-General is leading really important work to strengthen our anti-vilification laws and it is why we must all continue to work to ensure that everyone feels safe and secure and that Victoria remains a place where everyone feels accepted and respected.