Lisa Singh

LISA CHESTERS MP

MEMBER FOR BENDIGO

SENATOR THE HON LISA SINGH

LABOR SENATOR FOR TASMANIA

In Bendigo today, the Senate’s Select Committee on Strengthening Multiculturalism is holding it's final hearing on ways of protecting and improving Australia’s multiculturalism and social inclusion.

 Bendigo has a long and proud history of welcoming and embracing people from many different cultures.

Our diversity is our strength.

Multiculturalism empowers ethnic communities to live and share their own cultural diversity. It makes our communities stronger.

Bendigo is filled with cultural and religious gems, including one of Australia’s most beautiful Cathedrals, the largest Buddhist monument in the Western world and one of the oldest Chinese temples in Australia.

They have become a part of the vibrant, multicultural tapestry that is modern Australia.

The Australian belief in multiculturalism and a fair go is what has created the vibrant communities we live in.

That is why the Australian Labor Party opposes the Turnbull government’s crude and heavy-handed proposed changes to citizenship rules. The delays are unreasonable, while the university level English test is an unfair act of snobbery.

These changes will not help to make Australia safer. Instead, they will undermine the values of inclusion and a fair go for all which make our nation great.

We have heard directly from people for whom these changes represent a real threat to the security of their lives.

Rather than introducing changes to citizenship that foster intolerance and fear, it is the responsibility of Government to ensure the long-held commitment to inclusivity is reflected in our citizenship system.

The hearings are being streamed live at www.aph.gov.au/live.

The full programs are available from the committee’s website: http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Strengthening_Multiculturalism

THURSDAY, 3 AUGUST 2017

MEDIA CONTACTS: LISA CHESTERS: 0425 755 929 

TAIMUS WERNER-GIBBINGS (SINGH) 0429 820 344