Paul Scarr (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Immigration) Share this | Hansard source

At item 9 on the Notice Paper earlier today, the President informed the Senate of the passing of a number of former members of the House of Representative, and one of them was Mr Petro Georgiou, who served the people of Kooyong as an elected member in the House of Representatives between 1994 and 2010. I wanted to take this opportunity to make a few comments in relation to Mr Petro Georgiou, who was a person I greatly admired.

Firstly—and I do this now in my capacity as a shadow minister for citizenship and multicultural affairs—I acknowledge the important role that Petro Georgiou played in promoting multiculturalism in our beautiful country. I want to quote Petro Georgiou's words in this respect. I will quote from an article which he wrote in the Sydney Morning Herald on Tuesday 26 July 2005. This is what he wrote:

When the policy of multiculturalism was adopted in Australia in the 1970s it was a response to the reality that postwar immigration had changed the face of this nation. In one of the largest and most diverse immigration waves in the 20th century, people from more than 100 different countries came to Australia. All sought a better way of life.

They wished for the opportunity to live with dignity, respect and equality. For many, this meant retaining valued aspects of their cultural heritage.

Multiculturalism adopted the principle that public services must accommodate the linguistic and other needs of people of diverse cultures.

Multiculturalism was a rejection of forced assimilation, a recognition that we couldn't make people "Australian" by demanding they renounce heritages they valued. It was a rejection of the notion that Australians must conform to a common stereotype.

This embrace of diversity built upon Australia's liberal democratic traditions. The policy was never without limits. Multiculturalism has explicitly expected Australians, new and old, to make a commitment to Australia and its interests, to the basic structures and principles of society—the constitution and rule of law, parliamentary democracy, tolerance, equality, freedom of speech and religion, and English as the national language.

Whatever the situation elsewhere, multiculturalism has been a demonstrably successful policy. It has positively contributed to Australian culture and to its values. Its overriding ethos of tolerance and harmony has reinforced the character of our democracy.

I note that that concept and those ideals have been reflected in the multicultural framework review that was completed just recently. I commend those associated with that review.

Secondly, I would like to particularly acknowledge the role that Petro Georgiou played in relation to SBS. I want to quote from a speech he gave on 28 June 2000, on the 25th anniversary of SBS—and we've just celebrated the 50th anniversary of SBS. This is what Petro Georgiou said:

SBS broadens our horizons. It reflects and enhances the diversity of Australia's culture. It has developed an admirable news and current affairs tradition with much original and groundbreaking reporting. Overwhelmingly, SBS has been a great success story.

Thirdly, I want to pay particular respect and regard to the moral courage Mr Petro Georgiou demonstrated on a number of occasions with respect to very complicated and controversial issues. He stood up for the most vulnerable people.

Finally, I would like to quote from his valedictory speech. He said:

Progress is not inevitable. It requires commitment, and it requires effort. There are setbacks and there are regressions. But I leave this place still optimistic that Australians will seek and find in their representatives, declarations and deeds that elevate hope above fear, and tolerance above prejudice.

I had immense regard for Mr Petro Georgiou when he was serving in this place, and I will do my very best to continue to advance many of the ideals, concepts and principles that Mr Petro Georgiou stood for.