Thursday, 21 March 2024

 Lee TARLAMIS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (09:50): Our greatest strength is our diversity. That is a statement that we hear a lot, but in Victoria I am proud that we back it up by sharing and celebrating the many vibrant and diverse communities that make up our wonderful state, particularly in the south-east. A week does not pass without an opportunity to attend a celebration or event or participate in a learning experience that teaches us more about the wonderful cultures, traditions, languages and faiths that are a feature of our society. This is Cultural Diversity Week, another of these opportunities where we share stories, celebrate together, foster mutual respect and immerse ourselves in activities that deepen our understanding of the many cultures which enrich the fabric of our state.

Victoria stands out as a shining example of our nation’s multiculturalism, in a country where nearly half of our population either were born overseas or have immigrant parents. But amidst our celebrations let us not forget the importance of acknowledging and addressing the inequalities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. There is still much work to be done to ensure their social and economic equality, and it is imperative that we continue to listen and respond to their needs.