Anne Aly (Cowan, Australian Labor Party, Minister for International Development) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the wonderful member for Barton for her question and I welcome her to this place. She has already made an incredible contribution, and I know that she will continue to make an incredible contribution while she's here.

For the first time, Australia has a standalone minister for multicultural affairs in cabinet, and I must say I'm incredibly humbled to be appointed to this position and I'm excited to have launched the new office for multicultural affairs. If I may, I'd like to take a moment to just reflect on the composition of this parliament here today, one that is beginning to reflect modern Australia and one that is very different from the one I delivered my first speech to in 2016. In this 48th Parliament we have the most multiculturally diverse government this nation has ever seen. Across the chamber we now see representatives with diverse heritage, just like Australia and the communities we represent.

The anti-immigration protests on the weekend highlight, however, that questions of belonging and inclusion linger despite our successes. This government stands with all Australians, no matter where they were born, against those who seek to divide us and intimidate migrant communities. I want to be clear and unequivocal: targeting specific ethnic groups, like the wave of anti-Indian sentiment that we saw over the weekend, is racism—full stop. There is no excuse, no nuance, no justification. No-one in Australia should have to justify their belonging in this country, and this Albanese Labor government believes that every Australian, whatever their race or religion, wherever they or their parents were born, should be able to feel safe and at home in any community, without prejudice and without discrimination.

Multiculturalism isn't just about a celebration of festivals and food; it is about ensuring everyone is empowered to participate in this democracy. That's why we continue to support the important work of our special envoys to combat Islamophobia and antisemitism, and that's why we have an office of multicultural affairs. Multiculturalism shouldn't be a policy that's tucked away somewhere in a file. It is about the character of modern Australia. It is about our modern identity, both in this nation and in our region. It should be about enabling fairness, respect and inclusion. That's how this Albanese Labor government sees a multicultural Australia, and that is what we aspire to do.

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