21st February 2024 09:50
Victorian Legislative Council, Melbourne
David ETTERSHANK (Western Metropolitan) (09:50):
On Sunday I had a hoot as the Point Cook cultural community hosted the Wyndham Multicultural Lunar Festival. Fun fact: the 2021 census found that Point Cook is the most multicultural suburb in Australia, with people born in 146 countries calling it home. Nearby Tarneit and Werribee came second and third, respectively. Over 10 hours there were more than 80 performances on the central stage,
with such a diversity of cultures on display and everyone just having a good time enjoying with their neighbours this extraordinary spectacle. I am hard-pressed to imagine a more perfect example of our multicultural society in action. The west is testimony to the fact that diversity and inclusion are Australia. We should be proud of what we have built, and we should continue to strive for ever greater unity, from our First Australians through to our newest Australians.
How sad it is then to hear voices in this place and others that would seek to sow division and racism. Whether it is the old, hackneyed refugee tropes or whipping up fears over reconciliation with our First Nations people, to those who imagine that electoral success can be built on the back of division and fearmongering, the people of Western Melbourne simply say, ‘Tell ’em they’re dreaming.’
[ENDS]
