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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2016-04-13 Daily Xml
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Australian Migrant Resource Centre

Mr GEE (Napier) (14:47): My question is to the Minister for Multicultural Affairs. Minister, how is the South Australian government assisting newly arrived migrants in the Bordertown and Naracoorte areas?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers) (14:47): I thank the member for the question because, of course, our government understands the importance of supporting professionals, skilled labourers, families and young people in regional South Australia. An increasing number of migrants and refugees are starting life anew in the Limestone Coast. The migrant population in Bordertown alone is close to 500 people, and despite their difficult past and their difficult journey here, these new members of our community are making a significant contribution to the diversity and productivity of South Australia's South-East.

Our government stands ready to invest in community-led initiatives and partnerships that will enhance cross-cultural understanding in our regions. The Australian Migrant Resource Centre expanded its services to support our culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Bordertown, particularly those recently retrenched from local employment. I was pleased to attend the official opening of their new office in Bordertown, and engage with our diverse and talented migrants from Afghanistan, Iran and Nigeria, to name a few.

I also took this opportunity to speak with the management of JBS Australia's Bordertown meatworks. It employs more than 450 workers, 60 per cent of whom are migrants. JBS Australia has a clear plan about growing opportunities, and it will continue to work closely with the Australian Migrant Resource Centre to provide maximum support to its workers.

South Australia was built on the labour and skills of migrants, and undoubtedly they will play an important role in shaping the long-term future of our state. I am pleased to advise the house that our government supported the Australian Migrant Resource Centre with $120,000 for the provision of services on the Limestone Coast.

Further to this, we committed $50,000 to assist with the cost of refurbishing its new office in Bordertown. The Migrant Resource Centre in Bordertown is more than just a place of providing employment and settlement services: it is a safe haven, a place where migrants feel understood, a place that instils confidence, a place that provides them with a sense of belonging. This is one of many examples of how a government is assisting migrants, and I congratulate the Migrant Resource Centre on the official opening of its Bordertown office.

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