South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (15:18): My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Can the minister inform the house about the recent community consultation convened by the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:18): I thank the member for his question. The South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission convened its sixth community consultation on Wednesday 5 November 2014. This community consultation focused on the western suburbs and was held at Reedbeds Community Centre in Fulham. I think you were invited, sir, but were unable to attend, as was the member for Colton. It was my pleasure to attend the SAMEAC western suburbs consultation and engage with representatives from various culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The consultation was attended by approximately 40 community members, who raised a number of issues with a panel of senior representatives from senior state and commonwealth government agencies, including Department for Communities and Social Inclusion, Department of Social Services, Department of Human Services, the department for employment, higher education and skills and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. The consultation was also attended by the mayor of West Torrens and representatives from South Australia Police, Multicultural Community Council of South Australia, Multicultural Aged Care Service and various community leaders from new and emerging communities.

A variety of issues were raised during the community consultation, which included settlement services for eligible migrants, access to cross-cultural services, assessment of overseas qualification, administration of local, state and commonwealth grant programs and the provision of training and employment pathways to skilled migrants and to humanitarian entrants. The community consultation model worked well, with many of the issues raised being addressed during the session, while other inquiries were subsequently followed up by a relevant government agency or service provider representative.

The SAMEAC western suburbs consultation was a great opportunity for members of culturally and linguistically diverse communities to be heard and for SAMEAC members and various service providers to address some of their concerns. South Australia is a multicultural place, and this diversity brings many benefits to our state. In recognition of the importance multiculturalism plays in our community, the Weatherill government announced earlier this year that linguistically and culturally diverse communities will receive an increase in funding for projects, events and activities. Annual multicultural grant funding has been increased from $650,000 to $1 million per annum.

Our multicultural communities help make us strong because they support the social, economic and cultural fabric of our state. I look forward to being part of engaging and enlightening future discussions with representatives from our multicultural communities, and I congratulate the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission on the success of its sixth community consultation.