Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026

Mr ABDO (Calwell) (19:11): I rise to speak on Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2025-2026, which delivers a budget that continues the Albanese Labor government's unwavering commitment to multiculturalism, to fairness, to inclusion and to belonging for every Australian. I have not heard the speakers opposite mention anything today about how proud they are of Australia.

It's all threats and fear. Our vision and our approach—an approach we are delivering for Australia—is instead about inclusion and opportunity, things that actually contribute to our national security. I'm proud to serve in the most diverse government this parliament has ever seen.

This matters. This government believes that every person, regardless of background and faith, wherever they're from or wherever their parents may have been born, deserves to feel safe, values and respected, free from prejudice and free from discrimination. It puts multiculturalism at the centre of our body politic, our institutions, so that it's not an add-on but an essential part of the formulation and delivery of policies and programs, particularly under the Home Affairs portfolio.

Since 2023 the Albanese Labor government has invested $15 million to support 600 community language schools, reaching 90,000 students learning 84 languages nationwide. This budget adds a further $25 million, giving thousands more children the chance to learn another language, connect with their culture and grow their sense of pride and identity as Australians.

Language is not just a communication form; it is about culture, connection and belonging for communities and actually adds to our people-to-people links and our relationships with the world and with our region. That belief runs through this budget, backed not just in principle but in practice. For the first time in Australia's history, the Albanese Labor government has elevated the standalone position of the Minister for Multicultural Affairs to cabinet.

I want to thank the Minister for Multicultural Affairs for her work in this space and for her engagement on matters which really go to the heart of our approach to this issue—not as a marginal side issue but as one that goes hand in hand with who we are as a country and equally our place in the world. That goes for other ministers in this portfolio—international education, multicultural affairs, small business, international development and immigration with foreign affairs.

We take a holistic approach to this important portfolio. This budget continues to fund that work, investing in programs that strengthen social cohesion, counter racism and celebrate the cultural and linguistic diversity that defines modern Australia. This includes over $190,000 that's been provided for community language schools in my electorate of Calwell over the last two years.

I had the opportunity to attend one such school through my visit to the Craigieburn Nepalese Community, an organisation which does a mountain of work helping the community in various aspects, from sports, recreation and schools: through to initiatives such as support for new arrivals and parents, and the prevention of family violence. For us, multiculturalism isn't just about celebratory occasions.

We fight for multiculturalism because we fight for modern Australia. As the Minister for Home Affairs has said, 'modern Australia and multicultural Australia are the same thing'. We've seen the Liberals do their best to undermine our multiculturalism.

They talk about safety but use every opportunity to make Australians feel less safe. I'll give you a tip: marginalising, demonising and ostracising members of our community does not enhance national security. We've seen them demonise our proud Australian Indian community.

We've seen it in those who speak about being 'estranged' but won't utter by whom. But I suspect they're more estranged from the shadow frontbench now instead. We've seen it by those who've said that Islamophobia is 'fictitious'—it's not real—and by others who say it doesn't exist in society.

The Liberal Party of today is being rightly described as being governed by the far right and the further right. What we, the Albanese Labor government, are proud to defend in this place is social cohesion and to protect our multiculturalism so that all Australians feel safe, valued and recognised.