MATTERS OF INTEREST

ITALIAN HERITAGE

The Hon. J.M. GAZZOLA (15:25): I recently had the pleasure of attending the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy and the 64th celebration of the Republic of Italy, where the government was represented by the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Grace Portolesi. This important event also noted the official farewell of the Consul of Italy for South Australia, Dott. Tommaso Coniglio, whose final address reminds us of the ties that bind and the cultural legacy that we share. It must come as some surprise that this anniversary marks only the 150th year of the unification and the 64th year of Republicanism, given that the Roman Republic and then Empire survived for some 1,000 years.

As we know, South Australia has been settled for 174 years and we are a young country in historical terms. The unification of Italy was no overnight achievement, with the fire of revolution first igniting in 1672, eventually proceeding to unity in 1871. As we know, Rome was not built in a day (I just had to get that one in). Such a lengthy resolution testifies to the degree of political divergence of Italian sovereignties and states under the warring and conflicting authorities of the dominant European powers. That the Risorgimento succeeded under the tutelage of Mazzini, the leadership of Cavour and the strength of Garibaldi is something of a miracle.

The cultural legacy for Australians in the Italian diaspora, the waves of post wars immigration, saw the cultural melding of 20 once independent Italian states with a growing and diverse Australian identity. This is the rich legacy that we enjoy today here in South Australia. There are 57 million Italians in Italy, 76 million around the world and over 100,000 in South Australia, with around 14,000 holding Italian passports. Italian is the second most spoken language after English in this state.

South Australians of Italian heritage are busy people. According to the Consul, there are more than 100 groups with 100 presidents and 100 boards. Since 2007, agreements have been signed between our government and the regions of Apulia, Calabria and Basilicata, adding to the existing agreement with Campania. New agreements are being sought with the regions of Molise, Veneto, Emelia Romagna and the Province of Trento.

We also witness the many delegations from Italy to South Australia and note the delegations undertaken or proposed by the state government. Indeed, as the Premier has often pointed out, we are building on the educational, scientific, business and cultural ties. As an Australian of Italian parents, the address by the Italian Consul reminded me of my parents' migration to Australia 58 years ago, on 11 September, and the great opportunities this country offered and continues to offer for those less fortunate. It also reminded me of the great progress that Italy has made and the contribution it has made to world culture, a living legacy we embrace.

It has not always been plain sailing, though. As a motion in this house moved by the Hon. Carmel Zollo noted, we need to support and champion our front-line connection in the Italian Consulate and the office of the Consul. As Dott. Tommaso Coniglio pointed out in his farewell address, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not appointed a successor, nor has it made any comment on the future or otherwise of the consulate in South Australia. As I pointed out in my address to the council on the motion, the presence of the consulate and the office of the Consul are central to our mutual relationship. In closing, I thank and farewell Dott. Coniglio and family, and wish him all the best in his new appointment.