Laurie Ferguson MP, Member for Reid (NSW)
The Hon Laurie Ferguson MP is the Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services. He was appointed to the position in 2007 after significant activity in this policy area within the New South Wales (NSW) Parliament from 1984 to 1990 and the Australian Parliament, since 1990. In his current role he engages with community and faith groups across Australia and has overseen several major national initiatives.
Mr Ferguson launched the Diverse Australia Program (DAP), which ensures that the best possible approach is taken to promoting the benefits of Australia's cultural diversity. It takes a national approach to issues of cultural, racial and religious intolerance by promoting respect, fairness, inclusion and a sense of belonging for everyone. The program recognises that ordinary Australians are best placed to identify what issues exist between groups in their communities, and that the communities should be supported in addressing them.
Mr Ferguson has also launched the national strategic settlement framework, which sets out new directions in government programs that help refugees and new settlers beginning new lives here. This framework was developed after 17 community and government consultations (covering 290 organisations) and 11 focus groups with 195 refugees from 18 different nationalities. Mr Ferguson attended almost all of these consultations. While Australia is acknowledged as a world leader in settlement services, the framework will guide improvements in how we address immediate and longer-term settlement needs.
To provide a greater level of independent advice to the Australian Government on multicultural policy issues, Mr Ferguson and the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, appointed the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council (AMAC). The members of AMAC are people drawn from across Australia who have already contributed significantly to, and reflect, the success of a diverse Australia in business, community work, non-government service organisations, education, sport and the justice system. AMAC is currently developing its advice on a new cultural diversity policy statement for Australia for consideration by government.
A crucial part of Mr Ferguson's responsibilities is to build resilient communities. This includes overseeing engagement with Australia's 6000 ethnic organisations through the community liaison officer network in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), speaking with individuals, groups and peak bodies on relevant issues and increase awareness within government departments that government services need to be accessible to all Australians.
Mr Ferguson's work as parliamentary secretary builds on his commitment to Australia's refugee program throughout his parliamentary career and his long-standing interests pursuing social justice and the role of communities in building a fairer Australia, where everyone belongs.