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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1)
2010-06-22 Daily Xml
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REFUGEE AND MIGRANT SUPPORT

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:44): My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. What information can the minister provide to the house on how the government is promoting diversity in our community and supporting refugees and migrants who settle here in South Australia?

The Hon. G. PORTOLESI (Hartley—Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (15:44): Earlier this week I had the very serious honour of officially launching South Australian Refugee Week for this year. Refugee Week is very important because it gives each and every one of us the opportunity to pause and reflect on the plight of refugees, as well as the incredible contribution they make to South Australia. It also gives us the chance to reflect on our own responsibilities as individuals and governments towards displaced people throughout the world.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that at the end of 2009 there were 43.3 million people worldwide who had been forcibly displaced. In South Australia, in the current financial year, we have in fact settled about 1,600 refugees. A recent Refugee Council of Australia report highlights the benefits of refugee settlement, including:

opening up of new international markets;

bringing in new skills;

creating employment; and

filling employment niches in both rural and metropolitan areas.

A large proportion of refugees are young, which means they make a positive net contribution to the labour market, a fact that is incredibly important for South Australia as we tackle the challenges of a rapidly ageing population.

Research undertaken on behalf of the joint Commonwealth and State and Territory Research Advisory Committee in relation to immigration and multicultural affairs found that, over the long term, the Refugee and Humanitarian Program leads to higher levels of employment, gross domestic product consumption and investment. Specifically, in South Australia, the research forecast that over a 20 year period refugees lead to a 1 per cent increase in employment and a .75 per cent increase in gross state product, as well as an increase in the labour force participation rate. These facts all bode well for our state. However, of course, the benefits go beyond the economic, as refugees add to the rich social and cultural tapestry that South Australians enjoy and have become famous for.

In order to create the foundation for refugees to reach their full potential and re-establish a sense of independence and belonging, the state government is undertaking its own initiatives to help our new and emerging communities. We have done this by creating a new position of Director of Settlement Services, who will work with refugee representatives, government and non-government organisations to ensure that the best use is being made of the available resources.

For instance, the director will work on issues such as: arrival reception assistance; accommodation; health services; financial counselling and emergency relief; community integration and orientation; children's and youth services; adult education; employment; and sport and recreation. There are preliminary discussions going on at the moment in relation to placing data about settlement services onto a mobile phone application, which is particularly important for young refugees.

These initiatives are helping us to achieve our ultimate goal, which is to provide the best possible conditions for refugees who settle in our state so that they can take their rightful place in our community.

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