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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-02-28 Daily Xml
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MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS

Mrs VLAHOS (Taylor) (14:51): Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Can the Minister for Multicultural Affairs inform the house about how the state government is supporting new arrivals to feel safe, to thrive and to contribute to South Australia's prosperity?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:52): I thank the member for Taylor for her question, and I thank her for her considerable support as parliamentary secretary and for the very many multicultural functions she attends. Can I take this opportunity—

An honourable member interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. I.F. Evans interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Davenport, you are warned for the second time.

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: Can I also take the opportunity to welcome the member for Ramsay and the member for Port Adelaide to this chamber. It is wonderful to see two more women on this side of the house.

I was delighted last Tuesday to attend the 2011 Governor's Multicultural Awards. The Chair of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission was there with many commission members, as was the Leader of the Opposition. Those awards were a testament to the many innovations, inclusive programs and outstanding personal effort which have made a positive and significant impact in improving the life of migrants and new arrivals, as well as a greater understanding across all sections of our community.

Both as Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Police, I was especially proud of the Eastern Adelaide Crime Prevention Section of South Australia Police. The section took out the award for outstanding service to recognise cultural diversity by a government agency or team. It won despite very strong competition from other very impressive finalists, including SAPOL's Limestone Coast Local Service Area Crime Prevention Branch. The officers were recognised for their work with new arrivals, including a number of African refugees, whose past experiences made them distrustful of authority. Many people who have lived in war-torn countries, where they witnessed acts of terrorism and genocide, can understandably be wary and distrustful of authority figures in uniform, and this can be very challenging for our police, and that is what makes this accolade so commendable.

This group of officers have gone the extra mile to break down barriers and connect with this community, particularly young people, so that they see the police in the same way we do: as approachable figures, people who can be trusted, who can help them, who they can learn from and perhaps even aspire to be like. It is also an excellent example of our police working closely with the community to build understanding and a sense of safety in our community. I applaud the Eastern Adelaide Service Area, led by Superintendent Anthony Fioravanti, and especially the local crime prevention team: Senior Sergeant Ken Jaensch, Sergeant Kym Foster, Constable Jane Tan and Mr Juma Abuyi.

I also want to make mention of other outstanding recipients of these awards. The Outstanding Individual Achievement Award went to Ms Eugenia Tsoulis OAM, the Arts and Culture Award went to the Adelaide Festival Centre's OzAsia Festival, and the Community Sector Award for Individuals joint winners were Baldev Dhaliwal and Mr Nicholas Niarchos.

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: When you get everything right in your speeches—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: —then you can criticise others.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: The Community Sector Award went to the Asthma Foundation.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE: They have been credited with saving lives, in fact, with their work. The Media Award Individual went to Anelia Blackie from TheBorder Watch, Mount Gambier, the Media Award Organisation to the Messenger News Weekly Times, the Private Sector Award to the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, the Volunteer Award to Mr Hussain Razaiat, the Youth Award Individual to Ramla Giirre and the Youth Award Organisation to the University of South Australia's Global Experience program. They have all done outstanding work and deserve congratulations.

Mr Pisoni: Thirty seconds over.

The SPEAKER: Order!

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