Laurie Ferguson launches 'I need an interpreter' card
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
Laurie Ferguson displays the new Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) card, along with members of the Baulkham Hills Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Resource Centre project Culture Connect Creating a Sense of Place and Belonging - (L-R) Julie Truong, Lulitta Li, Bheman Sabir, Laurie Ferguson, Captain Nashir Sachinwalla, Prahlad Srivastava, and Mesfin T.Mamo
Mr Ferguson and leaders from new and emerging communities in Western Sydney, share discussions on government decision-making at Parliament House in Canberra. The Baulkham Hills Holroyd Parramatta Migrant Resource Centre project Culture Connect Creating a Sense of Place and Belonging, funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, is helping community leaders learn about Australian democracy, governance and the legal system through activities, including community workshops, mentoring and formal training.
Communication between non-English speaking people and service delivery agencies has been made easier with the launch of the ‘I need an interpreter’ card by Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services, Laurie Ferguson.
Speaking to a group of 30 emerging community leaders at Parliament House on May 14, Mr Ferguson explained how non-English speakers could simply show the card to request an interpreter.
The visitors, meeting Mr Ferguson as part of a community relations project to learn more about Australian democracy and parliamentary processes, were impressed with the idea and thought the card was a valuable tool, particularly to newly arrived migrants.
The wallet-sized card, which features the national interpreter symbol and a space for the holder’s preferred language, is designed to assist non-English speakers in requesting an interpreter when they need to communicate with government agencies, community groups and businesses.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship, through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National), is responsible for the initiative.
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Last update: 02 October 2008 at 13:38 AEST