Wednesday, 29 May 2024

Victorian African Communities Committee

Pauline RICHARDS (Cranbourne) (19:11): (686) My adjournment matter is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and the action I seek is that the minister joins me so that together we can brief the Victorian African Communities Committee (VACC) on ways that the Allan Labor government is supporting African Australian communities. As the minister at the table, the Minister for Development Victoria, knows very well, I get a great deal of joy out of the chairing role I have on the Victorian African Communities Committee. I am fortunate to spend time with my fellow members Selba-Gondoza Luka, Dr Stephane Shepherd, Adongwot Manyoul, Anaab Rooble, Catherine Jonathan, Tawana Basutu, Fred Alale, Mohamed Semra, Mahamed Ahmed, Dr Tebeje Molla and Andrew Gai, and it is co-chaired brilliantly by Tigist Kebede and Monica Forson.

I was delighted last week to join a sparkling group of young people at Thornbury High, the superstar local member for Northcote and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ms Stitt from the other place. It was a moment of sheer joy that I think the minister at the table should also take great pleasure from hearing about when the minister was able to let the children, the tutors and the teachers know that this government is investing $17 million into the homework club and other initiatives as part of the Victorian African Communities Action Plan. This extraordinary homework club is run by Endeavour Youth Australia, led by the amazingly impressive – I am running out of superlatives – Mohamed Semra. We are fortunate to have Mohamed. I am also rapt that Mohamed is about to do some work in Cranny. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Mahamed Ahmed for his deep policy work and years of toil, which have led the Allan Labor government to back our African Australian young people, especially in education settings.

Last sitting week the VACC visited Parliament. It was a sparkling event of fascinating conversation, and several members of cabinet came. I look forward to the minister’s response.