THE region convened a multicultural roundtable last week in the wake of anti-immigration rallies.
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann and Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlethwaite led the forum, meeting at Springfield with multicultural community leaders from across Ipswich and South East Queensland to reaffirm the Federal Government’s support for migrant communities.
About 40 multicultural community leaders and local residents attended the roundtable at the YMCA Springfield Central Community Centre, alongside representatives of peak bodies Multicultural Australia, the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland and Federation of Indian Communities Queensland.
The recent March For Australia events were high on the agenda, along with visa processes, employment opportunities and protections for migrants, the value of migrants living in regional areas and the importance of sport as a unifying force.
Participants raised the importance of community facilities, such as the planned House of India cultural centre in Springfield.
The Government’s support for community language schools, including the Vedanta Centre in Springfield Lakes, which provides free community Hindi classes to help students to stay connected to their language and culture, was also raised.
Mr Neumann said the forum was an opportunity to highlight the Government’s strong support for multicultural communities in Queensland, particularly in light of recent attacks on Indian Australians.
“Australia is one of the most successful multicultural societies in the world and migration has been one of our greatest nation-building tools,” he said.
“Locally, the Ipswich and Springfield area is the one of fastest-growing regions in Australia, and it’s an increasingly diverse one.
“We condemn the recent March For Australia rallies and distribution of materials targeting migrants in parts of Ipswich. There is no place for any type of hatred, racism or bigotry in this country.”
The March For Australia movement is planning another series of rallies around the country, including in Brisbane, on October 19.
A spokesman said the march was a stand for the people, culture and nation that built Australia, and for the people’s right to decide its future.
“For years, Australia’s unity and shared values have been eroded by policies and movements that divide us,” he said.
“Our streets have seen growing displays of anti- Australian hatred, foreign conflicts, and disintegrating trust, whilst mass migration has torn at the bonds that held our communities together.”
Mr Thistlethwaite said the Albanese Government was committed to supporting Ipswich and Springfield’s multicultural communities at a grassroots level, and recognises and welcomes the extraordinary and enduring contribution of generations of migrants who have shaped our society and driven prosperity across the nation.
“We are committed to supporting culturally and linguistically diverse groups to deliver on the aspirations and needs that matter to them, and to building a future where all Australians are valued, respected and connected.”
