MULTICULTURALISM

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (15:19): My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Can the minister inform the house about action being taken to further strengthen an appreciation for cultural and religious diversity in schools, preschools and child-care centres?

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON (Croydon—Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Veterans' Affairs) (15:20): Multiculturalism is regarded by many as being one of South Australia's greatest achievements and assets. Today multiculturalism enjoys widespread support. Indeed, in a recent household survey of more than 6,000 people, almost nine out of 10 South Australians recognised that cultural diversity was a positive influence.

Multiculturalism allows us to live in harmony and to express and share our cultures. I am pleased, therefore, to be able to report that Mr Hieu Van Le, Lieutenant-Governor and Chairman of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, and Mr Chris Robinson, Chief Executive of the Department of Education and Children's Services, have written to all departments, schools and sites to reinforce the message about respecting diversity.

With the approach of the festive season, they wrote to remind people about the importance of recognising the rights of individuals and groups to maintain and express their own cultural and religious preferences. This means that we welcome and encourage the observation and celebration of religious events such as Christmas. Such activity is entirely in keeping with multiculturalism in policy and practice.

Multiculturalism is not about replacing one cultural or religious tradition with others but, rather, about respecting the rights of individuals and groups to maintain and express their own cultural and religious customs. It is about the public being open to and welcoming the benefits of diversity.

It is also important to consider the backgrounds and cultural and religious preferences of children and students in the care of schools, preschools and childcare centres when offering and promoting food to them. The importance of the relationship between children, parents and families and our schools, preschools and childcare centres is crucial, so that information about cultural and religious preferences, including the dietary requirements of children and students, are known and allowance can be made for that.

The message is consistent with the DECS multiculturalism in schools and children's services policy, the countering racism policy and guidelines and the Eat Well in Schools and Preschools Healthy Eating Guidelines. I welcome the action taken by Mr Hieu Van Le and Mr Chris Robinson, and I am sure members of the house would support the government in its endeavours to reinforce this message about respecting diversity.

From time to time I receive letters from constituents protesting that they think it is the wish of Muslim people to remove Christmas and Easter from our schools. Reasonable South Australians know they have nothing to fear. Indeed, many Muslims have made important contributions to the state's life and economy.

The Muslim holy book, the Koran, recognises Christianity as a faith of Abraham, like Islam and Judaism, and Jesus Christ is mentioned often in its pages as a prophet. Indeed, the mother of our Lord is mentioned more often in the Koran than in the Bible. The Nativity of Christ is also mentioned in the Koran.

Rumours accusing Muslims or other non-Christians of endangering Australia's Christian holy days have been mischievously started by fringe elements who wish to spread racist hatred and notions of racial supremacy and disrupt Australia's social harmony. Thanks in no small part to the universal power of the internet and the world wide web and the misuse of that power, these myths—and that is what they are—spread fast.

Meanwhile, left-wing secularists and busybodies who try to ban Christmas in our schools and kindergartens manage to deflect blame onto those who are innocent of this caper, namely, Muslims, Jews and others of a non-Christian religion. Since the 1970s, we have built a state of more than 160 cultural and ethnic origins that is exemplary in its harmony, its cohesion and the absence of conflict.

Our example is looked upon with envy by many in the rest of the world. South Australians are encouraged to retain the best of their traditions and cultures and to express them, but only within the rule of law and with respect for their fellow South Australians. I am glad to make it plain that our holidays, beliefs and traditions are not under threat from Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs or any other religious community. Multiculturalism must not and should not be used as an excuse to ban nativity scenes and plays in our schools. I suggest it is often atheists and agnostics who, when challenged, claim to be acting on behalf of Muslims, Jews and other non-Christian religions in using multiculturalism as a smokescreen. Any such claim is a fraud: they are acting only for themselves. I am pleased that action has been taken by Mr Hieu and Mr Robinson to set the record straight.