Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026
Mr NG (Menzies) (18:51): I rise to speak on the Albanese Labor government's commitment to multicultural Australia. When we on this side speak about multicultural Australia, we are not treating minorities as an afterthought when we make policy. We govern for modern Australia in all its diversity and richness.
We govern for all Australians, regardless of their background. Australia has always been a multicultural country. Aboriginal Australia has a rich diversity of nations, with over 250 mobs.
Australia has been built by British settlers, Chinese miners, Afghan cameleers, Sikh Anzacs and Italian, Greek and Indian migrants—people from every country on earth. The Albanese Labor government believes that Australia's diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It brings ingenuity, wisdom, fresh perspectives and competition.
It expands the marketplace of ideas. You only need to look at this side of the House, particularly at the new members of parliament, to see that our government is committed to reflecting the diversity of our community. We are one of the most successful multicultural countries on earth, and this did not happen by accident.
It has been shaped by decades of policy, by communities who have worked tirelessly and by Labor governments who have recognised the value of inclusion and social cohesion. Last week I was fortunate to have the Minister for Multicultural Affairs in Menzies, the electorate I'm lucky enough to represent, meeting with some of our local business associations and owners.
For the first time, this government has appointed a dedicated minister for multicultural affairs to cabinet. This elevation shows how seriously this government takes its responsibility to multicultural Australia. The creation of the Office for Multicultural Affairs within government further strengthens our ability to coordinate policy and deliver tangible outcomes across all levels of government—federal, state and local.
They are not just symbolic gestures. They are structural changes designed to ensure that multicultural policy is embedded in the heart of decision-making. They mean that the experiences, challenges and aspirations of multicultural communities will be heard where it matters most—in the cabinet.
We have also initiated the 2024 Multicultural Framework Review—the first in-depth examination of Australia's multicultural policies and programs in 50 years. This review will help shape the next generation of multicultural policy. It will ensure that our frameworks respond to emerging challenges and continue to promote social cohesion and mutual respect.
We're also committing $15 million to support community language schools across the country. This investment supports over 600 community language schools, helping more than 90,000 students to learn and preserve 84 different languages spoken in our communities. In addition, we are investing an additional $25 million to expand access to community language education.
These programs are about more than just learning a language. They are about passing on culture, history and identity from one generation to the next. In my own electorate of Menzies, we have already seen this commitment in action.
Our government is supporting multiculturalism and inclusion through $200,000 of local funding delivered through the Asian Business Association of Whitehorse for local cultural festivals. This includes $150,000 of support for the Box Hill Lunar New Year Festival, one of the largest and most loved multicultural events in Victoria. Each year the festival attracts more than 100,000 people, who come together to celebrate culture, family and community.
A further $50,000 will go to the Manningham Asian Cultural Festival, a newer celebration in the northern part of the electorate that is already making its mark with vibrant music, delicious food and energetic performances. Events like local festivals are so important in building understanding and connection between cultures. While others might seek to divide us for political gain, the Labor government chooses unity over division and inclusion over fear.
We believe that every Australian, whatever their race or religion and wherever they or their parents were born, should be able to feel safe, respected and proud to call this country home. That is the Labor way.