IPSWICH City Council has reacted to the national debate on migration and national identity by adopting a permanent Multicultural Advisory Committee.
At a time when anti-immigration rallies and counter protests take over city streets across the country, Ipswich councillors have united to vote unanimously to adopt a formal advisory committee dedicated to multicultural advocacy.
The Council agreed to creating the committee for six months in May and appointed Councillor Pye Augustine as the chair of the committee and has since set up the terms of reference for an advisory committee.
Cr Augustine told the Council that more than 20 per cent of Ipswich residents were born overseas and deserved an opportunity to engage with Council on decisions that impact their lives.
“Unfortunately, across our nation, we are seeing the steep rise of anti-immigration sentiments,” she said.
“Right here in Ipswich we have seen White Australia flyers dropped in letter boxes across our suburbs.
“It is more important than ever that this advisory committee has a permanent place in Council’s meeting schedule, as a sign to multicultural communities that we value their significant contribution to our city and the work we do as Council.
“As we continue to grow as the fastest-growing area in Queensland, forms like this foster inclusivity, diversity and cohesion in our decision making, and most importantly, in our city.”
Mayor Teresa Harding said Ipswich had a richly diverse population and the community had embraced the multicultural advisory committee’s efforts to deepen the Council’s engagement with multicultural communities.
“I think this is a way of Council bridging connections with so many different cultures in our community and in a rapidly growing city like Ipswich, these shouldn’t be one-off conversations, but seeds of long-term collaborations.
“As Ipswich continues to grow so does its diversity. I think to truly serve our residents, we must listen to all voices, and this committee is one way for us to ensure that multicultural communities are not just acknowledged, but actively involved in shaping the Council’s decisions.”
Kenyans In Queensland President Antony Kamau, who was invited to address the Council, urged councillors to stand together in the face of racially charged protests.
“A multicultural community embodies the spirit, therefore fostering unity and understanding among us all,’’ he said.
“This is not just a one-way street. We want to belong and participate fully in our community because Australia opens the doors, it gave us an opportunity for us to come and grow from where we came from.
“In times of uncertainty, like the recent rise in racially charged incidents … we must stand together.”
