Harmony Week
Lee TARLAMIS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:26): Today, on 21 March, we celebrate Harmony Day and many wear orange as part of the celebration. The message of harmony is one of social cohesion and cultural harmony, with a theme this year of ‘Everyone belongs’. It coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and is 75 years since the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted. Although the declaration enshrined rights and freedoms for all without exception, Victorians still fall victim to racism. That is why today and every day we continue to proactively prevent and address racism in our state at every opportunity, because everyone’s rights matter and equality is not negotiable. As we mark these occasions today we reflect upon the fundamental values of tolerance and respect that bind our multicultural community and our wider community. We must all do our part to create an inclusive, harmonious and equal society where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
As one of the most successful multicultural nations we have much to celebrate and be proud of, with nearly half of all Australians having been born overseas or having a parent who was and more than 7.5 million people having migrated to Australia over the last 70 years. Here in Victoria we know that multiculturalism is more than just the diversity of cultures, languages, faiths and traditions; it is the knowledge that the celebrating and sharing of cultures and the understanding of cultural differences is one of our greatest strengths. That is why we continue to provide grants to support our dynamic, vibrant and diverse communities in many different ways with the provision of services and to help celebrate and share their cultures and traditions. I will continue to support their work, celebrate our diversity, fight for equality and fight against racism at every opportunity. I wish everyone a happy Harmony Day.