Police officer appointed to new Multicultural Advisory Council
Joint Media Release with Laurie Ferguson MP
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Tasmanian Police Inspector Craig Waterhouse has been appointed to the new Australian Multicultural Advisory Council announced today by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans.
‘The new council will advise the government on practical approaches to promoting social cohesion, the engagement of migrants in Australian society, overcoming racism and intolerance and communicating to the public on this complex social policy area,’ Senator Evans said.
‘Inspector Waterhouse is currently Inspector in Charge, State Community Policing Services, and has had extensive experience in multicultural and migrant issues in Tasmania.
‘His past experience includes managing police operations for Operation Safe Haven [displaced people from Kosovo], involvement with the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters and membership of the Tasmania Advisory Council on Multicultural Affairs and the Tasmanian Immigration and Settlement Committee.’
The Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson, said the government considered Australia's approach to immigration and cultural diversity to be a national strength.
‘Independent advice from a range of experienced and knowledgeable individuals is important in developing policies and programs that build on this strength,’ Mr Ferguson said.
Members of the new council are: Andrew Demetriou (chair), Susai Benjamin, Hass Dellal OAM, Joumanah El Matrah, Carmen Garcia, Sylwia Greda-Bogusz, Rhonda Jacobsen, Gail Ker, Voula Messimeri AM, Nola Randall-Mohk, Brian Schwartz AM, Rauf Soulio, Casta Tungaraza, Craig Waterhouse, Samina Yasmeen and Katie Young OAM.
The council is expected to meet for the first time early in the New Year.
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08122-6.htm
Last update: 17 December 2008 at 10:22 AEST