Tanya Plibersek (Sydney, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

A fortnight ago I had the pleasure of visiting Kabul Social in the heart of my electorate of Sydney, a unique restaurant designed to inspire, uplift and support Afghan women who have fled the Taliban. It provides them with training and employment in an industry they might otherwise struggle to enter because, quite often, coming from Afghanistan they have not been in the paid workforce before coming to Australia. It provides them with the training and information they need to make a successful career here in Australia. Kabul Social is a terrific restaurant not only because the food is great but also because it's providing support and training to a group of women who are then entering the workforce and building their economic independence right here in Sydney.

Over a plate of dumplings cooked by Kabul Social's head chef, Roya, we talked about how her work at this social enterprise has helped her achieve agency and autonomy in her life. She told me, 'I can look after my family and I work outside and independent. You know, I feel independent. It's so good for everyone. I feel so good, and I want a big restaurant.' She's planning her own business. When Roya was living in Afghanistan she wanted to study law but she was stopped from studying by the Taliban. She is now earning a living and seeing her son and daughter grow up able to study. Her daughter and son are both at university pursuing their own studies, and the fact that she is bringing home an income and is able to support herself and them is a source of pride for Roya. That's true of all the women who are working at the restaurant.

Kabul Social is one of three restaurants run by Plate It Forward, run by Shaun Christie-David, who is an amazing social entrepreneur. Plate It Forward runs Kabul Social, Kolkata Social and Kyiv Social, all in my electorate and all providing the same sort of training opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers who have come from around the world. Plate It Forward also reinvests its profits in training more people, employing vulnerable migrants, and fostering long-term economic and social resilience in these groups, and for every meal that's sold at these restaurants, two are donated—one in Sydney and, in the case of Kabul Social, one in Afghanistan.

The Albanese government has announced a $2.3 million investment for Plate It Forward and 21 other social enterprises around Australia working with people who would otherwise be locked out of the labour market. It will provide training and employment opportunities, and start them on their journey to independence. It's just one part of our $230 million Targeting Entrenched Disadvantage package, and it's wonderful to see how these operations are delivering on the ground. I thank David Hetherington from Impact Investing Australia, who does wonderful work. (Time expired)

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