Multicultural Festival

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (15:03): My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. How is the government celebrating South Australia's rich cultural diversity?

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) (15:04): I thank the member for Torrens for this question. Our government is committed to creating an inclusive and cohesive community where cultural and religious diversity is welcomed and celebrated. We recognise the positive contribution of our multicultural communities and we respect their right to express and share their individual cultural heritage within our thriving state.

I am very pleased to advise the house that the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion will host the annual Multicultural Festival in Rundle Mall on Sunday 1 November 2015. The festival aims to increase cross-cultural understanding, bringing together South Australians from all walks of life to celebrate diversity through a host of activities and events.

It will feature 62 multicultural community groups showcasing their cultures through music, dance performances, cultural displays, food sales and workshops. Most recently arrived and more established multicultural communities will participate, and up to 80,000 people are expected to converge on Rundle Mall for the state's most diverse festival.

As members of this house are aware, South Australians have made festival living part of their identity. Everyone seems to be outside watching the artists paint, listening to musicians, laughing with comedians. Our government is committed to increasing social participation of our culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and that is why we have tripled the investment in multicultural communities with an extra $8 million over the next four years.

These funds will help move our experience of multiculturalism and our appreciation for cultural and linguistic diversity into a new age of openness and inclusion. Our government understands the importance of investing in our multicultural communities because they enrich our cultural fabric and strengthen our economy.

Earlier this year I invited multicultural communities across South Australia to apply for a grant to support the costs of participating in the Multicultural Festival I was very impressed by the applications received, and I am pleased to announce that 46 multicultural communities have received funding to participate in this festival. These communities will host many activities to showcase their culture, and some of the highlights will include:

the internationally renowned African and Burundian drummers, singers and dancers;

Brazilian Capoeira Martial Art displays combining dance, acrobatics and music;

the vibrant colours and sound of Bollywood and Ukrainian dancers;

Mexican arts and crafts; and

Japanese calligraphy and origami.

This festival is an excellent way to showcase and celebrate South Australia's rich cultural diversity. I encourage all members of the house to come along on Sunday 1 November. Our government will continue to create opportunities for South Australians to experience the many cultures that make up our thriving state.