ETHNIC COMMUNITIES

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON (Croydon) (15:40): Would the Minister for Multicultural Affairs tell the house how the South Australian government is supporting our state's ethnic communities, particularly the most recently arrived?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers, Minister Assisting the Premier in Social Inclusion) (15:40): I thank the honourable member, whose work and commitment in this field is without question. Thank you, Michael.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: Unsurpassed.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI: I am trying. I only have eight functions this week but I am trying, Michael, to keep up. There is no doubt that in South Australia we have an enviable track record in respect of multiculturalism, and it is worth noting that this has not happened by accident. One such example of our commitment to multiculturalism is the work we are doing in relation to settlement services. This work was largely motivated by the very tragic death of a young Sudanese man in 2008 at the hands of another young Sudanese male. The government took this tragedy very seriously and examined very closely the way in which our service delivery impacts on the settlement of young refugees and their families, even though settlement is largely a service funded and provided by the commonwealth.

The project involved a very extensive community engagement process involving government and non-government service providers and seven humanitarians from refugee communities from Africa, Asia and the Middle East. This phase aimed at identifying the gaps in services and it culminated in the coordination of the Settlement Services Conference on 16 and 17 March this year (just last week). This has been the very first initiative of its kind in Australia, and what makes it so innovative is the fact that it is about action. It is not about rhetoric: it is about action. It is about forming strong partnerships between the government and non-government sectors. It is about redesigning the system so that it is fair and supports our future generations of refugees.

Secondly, this government is supporting our ethnic communities by doubling our multicultural grants scheme from $300,000 to $600,000 (an election commitment), and I have to say it is extremely valued by our ethnic communities. We have also changed the way that grant applications are received. That means that organisations can now submit their applications throughout the year.