Government agencies can play role in social inclusion
Sunday, 16 March 2008
Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services Laurie Ferguson has highlighted the positive role government agencies and services can play in assisting cultural integration in the Australian community.
‘Organisations such as the emergency services are integral to society,’ Mr Ferguson said at a citizenship ceremony in Melbourne today.
‘A proactive approach from government agencies to including and working with people from other cultures could greatly help minority communities achieve a greater sense of contributing to Australia.’
The parliamentary secretary was presiding at a ceremony at the Sunshine Fire Station in Melbourne's west.
Sunshine is part of the City of Brimbank, in which some 40 per cent of residents were born overseas and more than half speak a language other than English.
Today's ceremony involved 54 conferees from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas drawn from 23 countries as diverse as Poland, the Seychelles, Romania and Bangladesh.
They included a family from the United Kingdom, students from Belgium and Indonesia, and a Canadian who was also celebrating his birthday. They ranged in age from nearly five-years-old to nearly 73.
Melbourne's Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board played host to the ceremony.
Mr Ferguson said the occasion was a fine example of the cooperation between the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and other government agencies.
‘Becoming an Australian citizen shows commitment and loyalty to this country and a desire to share in our common future,’ Mr Ferguson said.
Australia has been enriched by the cultures and traditions of people from more than 200 countries who had come to Australia.
‘I congratulate Australia's newest citizens – indeed, citizenship is the common bond that unites us all,’ the parliamentary secretary said.
Media contact: Khaldoun Hajaj - 0404 078 692
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/parlsec/media/media-releases/2008/lf08011.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST