Carina Garland
Chisholm · Australian Labor Party · Australia
“Having seen them again last week, I can say the students of St Roch's are absolutely leaders. They debated whether video games should be an official sport, if plastic packaging on all food items should be banned, whether museums should return ancient artefacts to countries of origin and whether smartwatches should be banned in the classro…”
“We're also clarifying the CFMEU administrator's biannual financial reporting requirements, which currently require a report effectively immediately at the conclusion of a given financial year. In this bill, we're also committed to ensuring truckies get a fair go.”
“This government is giving them the tools to do just that, and I'm really proud to be able to represent so many bright young people in this place. Just last week, I had the great pleasure of visiting St Roch's Catholic Primary School in Glen Iris as a guest adjudicator for their year 6 civics and citizenship debating competition.”
“The intention here is to ensure that more truck drivers can access our quick and easy process to challenge an unfair contract in the Fair Work Commission.”
“It's important to highlight that our reforms are essential in ensuring that our workplace relations framework continues to be fit for purpose, continues to deliver fairer wages and secure jobs not just in my electorate of Chisholm but right across Australia.”
“We know that secure jobs drive participation in communities. I spoke about this in my very first speech—that, when people have certainty over hours and wages, they can make commitments to their local communities. They can put down roots. They can know that on their weekends they'll have time to give to their local sporting clubs.”
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“With today being the last sitting day in March, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an incredibly busy and productive month in this place. When I look back at everything we've achieved, one theme stands above the rest for our government, and that is delivery. Delivery is what happens when you have a government, with adults at the table, focused on our communities—a government that looks and sounds like Australia, a government that is committed to ensuring that no-one is held back and no-one is left behind in our pursuit of a better future for all Australians. This month we've delivered real practical support to Australians. We know that global uncertainty is putting pressure on households. Conflict overseas is driving up fuel prices.”
“When we get the settings right, when we make sure that every child has the chance to succeed, we don't just change lives; we change the country. A good education changes lives. We're building something really big here: a great education system, one that builds a fairer society and one that secures Australia's future—a better future. Debate adjourned.”
“It's also a plan to build a stronger, more sustainable teaching workforce. Most importantly, it's a plan to deliver real results, not just promises, as we've seen under previous governments. Importantly, we're measuring progress here. We're reporting progress. We're holding ourselves accountable. This agreement operates in conjunction with our other education reforms—whether that be paid prac placements for teaching students, making the HECS system fairer or investing in infrastructure—so parents can see the difference, teachers can feel the difference, and students can live the difference and harness the power of education every day. At the heart of all of this is the idea that every child deserves a great education—not just some children but every child.”
“When students finish year 12, they earn more—about 20 per cent more over their lifetime. When more young people succeed, our economy grows. This is good for all of us. In fact, lifting completion rates could add $65 billion to the economy by 2050. So it's not just about education policy. This is about economic policy. It's about social policy. This is how we build Australia's future, a better future, which is the sentiment behind every single decision that the Albanese Labor government has made. Amongst all of this, though, it's important to recognise that we're not quite there yet in terms of achieving what we can in this space. There is still more work to do, and that's why this agreement is not a quick fix. It's a 10-year plan, and it's a plan to lift literacy and numeracy, improve attendance and increase year 12 completion.”
“It's about building our children up as Australians, which means building up their confidence, providing opportunity and making sure they're treated with dignity. Fairness is the foundation of this agreement, and, for too long, not every school in Australia has been funded to the level that it needs. That disadvantage has influenced outcomes. It's meant people haven't been able to access the opportunities that every Australian deserves. This agreement changes that. It puts every public school on a path to full and fair funding. It closes the gap and it ensures that a child's future is not determined by their postcode. Talent is in our children and our educators everywhere in this country, and opportunity should be too. The benefits of getting this right are enormous.”
“But now, in 2026, the numbers are rising again for the third year in a row, and that's because the Albanese Labor government understands that, if we want a great education system, we need great teachers. I'm sure everyone in this House can recall a teacher in their life who had a huge effect on them. We need to support great teachers, and that's exactly what this agreement does. It invests in evidence based teaching, ensuring teachers have the tools that work. It supports early intervention, like phonics and numeracy checks, so we can identify problems before they grow. It funds small-group tutoring so no student falls permanently behind, and it strengthens wellbeing support so students are ready to learn. Education is not just about the classroom and academics.”
“In 2025, 12,000 more students completed high school than in the year before, so that means 12,000 more futures have been opened, that more opportunities have been created and that there are more ways that people can contribute to their neighbours and their society. We're also seeing more people choosing to become teachers. I've got a lot of teachers in my family. I know what a fine profession it is. I know how hard the work can be at times, and it's really encouraging to see people wanting to take that step and pursue this very important career. After years of decline under the former coalition governments, where education policy kept chopping and changing—it was very inconsistent—we saw a 22 per cent drop in students choosing to study education.”
“We want reform that ensures no child is held back and no child is left behind just because of their postcode or what school they attend. One year on from this agreement, we are already starting to see great results. School attendance is going back up. After falling under the previous government from 93 per cent to 86 per cent, attendance is now improving again, having risen to nearly 89 per cent in 2025. We are seeing early improvements in NAPLAN results, with more students reaching the highest level of proficiency. This is really encouraging and this matters because, when children are in school, they learn and, when they learn, they succeed and find out who they want to be and how they can contribute to our shared Australian story. We're also seeing more young Australians finish school.”
“The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement represents the largest investment ever by an Australian government in public education. It means an additional $16.5 billion over the next decade and then another $50 billion in the decade after that. This isn't just about expenditure. It's about nation building. We know that funding alone is not enough and that it's how we utilise that funding that matters. That's why this agreement ties investment to evidence based reform that helps children catch up, keep up and finish school and that supports teachers and educators. I really want to thank all of the teachers, support staff and educators for the work that they do each and every single day in all of our schools, including in our public schools in Victoria.”
“This week marks one year since every state and territory made a very important investment through the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement—an investment not just about now but about the future of this country. For the first time in the history of the Commonwealth, every government in Australia committed to putting public schools on a path to full and fair funding because, when it comes to investment in our children, funding should not be discriminatory. We should also be very proud of the legacy Australia and the states had, pre-federation, in establishing public education. It's the vision that Australia has always had about being fair and providing opportunity for all. We want every child to have every opportunity to thrive and harness the power of education and knowledge.”
“Education changes lives. I spoke about this in my very first speech. I spoke about both the impact on my own family's life that education had had and of my deep commitment to ensuring that all children can access a great education in this country and the opportunities that that education provides. As a great education can change individual lives, a great education system changes countries. We are seeing this in Australia now due to our Better and Fairer Schools Agreement. I see this in my visits to our terrific classrooms in Chisholm, my electorate. When a child learns to read, their world opens. When a teenager finishes school, their future expands. And when a government invests in education at the forefront of its agenda, it invests in the country's future, prosperity and equality.”
“Some of their stories and experiences were hard to share, and I'm very grateful that they were able to do so with us so that we can do our jobs even better. Thank you so much. I love our democracy. On Thursday last week, I was so privileged to join students at Wattle Park Primary School for a mock parliament. Our future leaders participated so well, asking excellent questions, and we had a terrific mock debate. I'm very certain that our future is in very safe hands with these young leaders, and I thank them so much for their enthusiasm and passion. Last week, it was great to visit the Inspire Early Learning Journey in Mount Waverley, seeing our early childhood educators hard at work. It was terrific and absolutely the highlight of my Friday to read stories to the children.”
“It is so generous for people to share their cultural heritage with people from non-Chinese backgrounds, and I am really grateful for that. I wish everyone a wonderful Year of the Horse in this new year. Last week, I was pleased to visit the WISE Employment site in Glen Waverley with Minister Rishworth. There, we saw firsthand the work of amazing employment consultants who help give real jobs to people who need them through government programs. They help people to understand what their passions are and what pathways they want to pursue. It's a really important model that we have. I thank the minister for joining us that day. She's always welcome back in the electorate of Chisholm. Indeed, all ministers are. I really do want to thank everyone who shared their stories so generously with me and the minister on that day.”
“I love being able to speak about my electorate of Chisholm in this place. I cherish being able to attend cultural events and community activities. I cherish the work I get to do every single day locally, because I get to see how special the people in my community are. In my role, I get to see the excellent commitment people have to their neighbours and the care that they show to others. I'm very grateful to be invited to so many events right across my electorate. I was really pleased that, last week, I was able to join the Chinese Association of Monash for their Spring Festival Gala—this was a magnificent event—celebrating the Lunar New Year with traditional dance song, food and stories. It's in these traditions passed down through generations that we can see how wonderful the diversity in our community is.”
“We also had the opportunity to engage directly with parliamentarians from across the region through the course of this conference, and I want to thank those parliamentarians for their engagement, their kindness and their friendship. The many conversations we had reinforced the importance of strong democratic institutions, transparency and ensuring our parliaments remain inclusive and responsive to the people we serve whilst responding to the very unique challenges and opportunities our region faces. This conference also marked an important moment for the future of regional cooperation. I returned with this delegation with a deep appreciation for the collaboration across our region and with confidence in what we can achieve together. I'm very proud to table this report in parliament today.”
“Throughout the conference, what stood out most was that sense of partnership, whether that be in mitigating the ramifications of climate change or in unlocking economic opportunities in the region. The relationships between our parliaments are grounded in shared challenges and shared responsibility, and that connection was evident in every discussion. That's what the Pacific partnership is all about—sharing our responsibilities and sharing our challenges. A particular highlight was meeting with recipients of Australian aid programs, especially those focused on empowering women. These initiatives are making a real difference—supporting leadership, economic participation and stronger communities across our region. I'm really proud that the Australian government is supporting those initiatives every day of the week.”
“I present the report of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the 5th Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group Conference in Fiji, 25 August to 28 August 2025, and seek leave to make a short statement in connection with this report. Leave granted. It was an absolute privilege to be part of Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the 5th Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group Conference with Senator Richard Colbeck from the other place. Since its establishment in 2019, the Pacific Islands Parliamentary Group has created a uniquely Pacific led space for dialogue, cooperation and shared learning between our legislatures. It reflects something fundamental—that the strength of our region lies in working together as neighbours.”
“This is a testament to what can be achieved through persistence and collaboration and in doing what is right. I commend the bill to the House.”
“The ban covers life cover, total and permanent disability insurance, trauma insurance and income protection insurance and will come into effect six months after receiving royal assent. No-one should be dissuaded from potentially life-saving testing out of fear of discrimination in life insurance. That's the core message of this bill. It's a message that deserves to be repeated. Australians should never have to choose between protecting their health and protecting their family's financial future. That's the choice that this bill removes, and this reform really does matter. I once again thank Dr Jane Tiller, author of the Monash report, for her ongoing advocacy in this area as well as Minister Mulino, former minister Stephen Jones and colleagues across this parliament and previous parliaments who have contributed to this important reform.”
“However, insurers must continue to comply with the reasonableness requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. This reform will not increase the cost of life or other insurance products. As life insurers remain able to effectively risk rate policies, there is no threat of the industry taking on unacceptable risks that would increase pay-outs and drive up premiums. What this bill does is create a new strict liability offence and a civil penalty provision for breaches of the ban, with ASIC assigned regulatory responsibility for monitoring and enforcement, because enforcement matters, accountability matters and strong oversight ensures confidence in the system. Whether ASIC chooses to pursue criminal sanctions or a civil penalty will depend on the facts of each case.”
“An insurer cannot use volunteered test results to produce a less favourable insurance outcome than would have applied had the results not been disclosed. This is a critical safeguard. It ensures that disclosure cannot be used against individuals, and it reinforces fairness in the system. The intention of this bill is to reduce the number of Australians delaying or forgoing genetic testing due to concerns about the possible impact on their life insurance, because when we remove fear, participation increases. When participation increases, outcomes improve, and when outcomes improve, lives are saved. The ban is not intended to remove a life insurer's ability to obtain and use other information necessary to effectively risk assess and underwrite insurance policies.”
“In 2024-25, the government subsidised more than 600,000 genetic and genomic tests under Medicare, totalling over $160 million in benefits. This reflects growing demand. It reflects growing awareness, and it reflects a central role that genetics now play in modern medicine. This represents a growth of approximately 85 per cent in the annual number of Medicare funded genetic and genomic tests between the years of 2019-20 and 2024-25. This growth will continue, and, as it does, our policy framework must keep pace. If a person wishes to voluntarily provide their test results to an insurer, they may do so. However, there are strong consumer protections to ensure that any disclosure is deliberate and properly authorised.”
“Learning about these elevated risks has motivated Ben to adopt risk-reducing strategies, and I thank Ben for his advocacy and participation in this work. Ben's story is powerful. It shows the value of knowledge. It shows the ripple effects of testing, and it shows how one decision can benefit not just an individual but an entire family. Dr Tiller called for an amendment to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 to prohibit the use of genetic or genomic testing results to discriminate between applicants for risk rated insurance. This bill responds to that call. We want people to get tested and to use this knowledge to improve their health and better manage any underlying conditions they may have. We want Australians to feel empowered in every regard. We want them to be informed and to be supported.”
“That's an incredible number. This is not a marginal issue. This is a systemic problem and one that absolutely demands the action we're taking today. Every Australian should have every opportunity to receive the care that they need. We cannot accept a system where fear overrides health or where financial concerns override medical advice, and we cannot accept a system that discourages prevention. One participant in the research was Ben. Ben didn't have any significant family history of cancer, but he took part in a genetic testing study. The results showed he carries a PALB2 variant, which raises the risk of prostate and breast cancer in men. This information was important not only for him but also for his female relatives, who now know that they face high risks of breast and ovarian cancer and have begun the process of getting tested.”
“In 2023, following years of research advocacy, Monash University—which happens to be my former university, in our local area—played a leading role in this space with the A-GLIMMER report, published in June 2023 by Jane Tiller, measuring the impact of the moratorium. I want at this point to thank Dr Tiller for her extraordinary work in this space. She has done so much. I've met with her a couple of times to talk about this, and I'm really pleased that we're able to see this bill before the House today. Her research provided critical evidence, insight into behaviour and highlighted the real-world consequences of policy gaps. Dr Tiller's report and subsequent genetic testing studies show that more than half of the participants who stopped their involvement in testing did so because of concerns about accessing affordable insurance.”
“This legislation has broad support across the parliament—or I thought it did, before we heard the previous speaker—and has been a long time coming, spanning multiple parliaments. This should not be a partisan issue. This should not be an opportunity for cheap performances and political points. This is a national issue about making sure all Australians can get the health care they need when they need it. This reflects years of work, consultation and advocacy, and it demonstrates what can be achieved if we decide to work together as representatives and legislators. In response to a 2018 parliamentary committee report, the Financial Services Council introduced a genetics moratorium to address disincentives to undertaking genetic testing.”
“This bill brings Australia into line with global best practice. It provides certainty, clarity and protection. This bill amends the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 to ban life insurers from taking into account information about an individual's genetic testing to inform the offer of life insurance cover or the terms and conditions of the cover that is offered. It bans the use of adverse genetic test results in life insurance underwriting and applies to life insurance contract decisions made on or after the date of commencement. This ensures that the protection is forward-looking. It ensures that Australians can engage with genetic testing with confidence, and it ensures that the system is fair.”
“This is deeply concerning because when Australians avoid testing they're not just avoiding information; they're missing opportunities for early intervention, missing opportunities to protect their health and, sadly, in some cases, missing opportunities that could save their lives. No-one should be dissuaded from potentially life-saving testing out of fear of discrimination in life insurance. This bill before us today is about fairness, and it's long overdue. No Australian should ever be punished for seeking to understand their own health. They should never face a penalty for taking proactive steps to protect themselves and their families. Australia lags other countries on this issue, with prohibitions or bans already in place in the United Kingdom, Canada, parts of Europe, the United States and New Zealand. But this bill changes that.”
“At the centre of that transformation is genetics. Genetics and genomics are reshaping clinical practice and changing the way we prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor a range of heritable conditions, cancer predisposition syndromes and rare cancers. This means we're enabling earlier detection and more targeted treatment, giving Australians the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health. With innovation, though, must come protection. With progress must come safeguards. With new knowledge must come confidence. We know that some people, unfortunately, have been wary of undergoing genetic testing. They're postponing it or avoiding it altogether because of the perceived risks to their privacy and, significantly, to their ability to access financial products such as life insurance.”
“It reflects our understanding that a strong health system is the foundation of a strong, thriving society. It's not just about money; it's about the consequences and costs that arise when Australians delay seeking early diagnosis and treatment, which is why access is so important. When care is delayed, conditions worsen. When diagnosis is postponed, outcomes, unfortunately, deteriorate. When treatment comes too late, the consequences can be irreversible. This is something that affects not just individuals but families, communities and generations. Genetic research is critical to improving the screening, early diagnosis and treatment of Australian patients. We are living in an age of extraordinary medical advancement, with many advancements being made right here in Australia and, I know, in my own electorate of Chisholm.”
“I've got some stories I'd like to share of some people who've participated in studies and who've advocated very strongly for the bill before us today, and I want to make sure that their voices are heard and that they're treated with the respect that frankly everyone in this parliament owes those Australians. Our party, the Labor Party, is, of course, the party of universal health care, where Australians can access the care they need without having to worry about the cost. That principle has guided every major health reform we've pursued as the Albanese Labor government, reflecting a simple belief that health care is not a privilege but a right. It reflects our commitment to equity, to fairness and to ensuring no Australian is held back and no-one is left behind.”
“I'm a bit gobsmacked too that, on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Genetic Testing Protections in Life Insurance and Other Measures) Bill 2025, where we're talking about something like access to care in the health system, there was very little respect and consideration paid to those people who have been advocates for these changes in life insurance. I think it was very disrespectful, frankly, the carry on we saw from the previous speaker. And I want to apologise on behalf of the parliament to those advocates who've worked in this area for so long that their voices were seen as secondary in this conversation.”
“That was quite an extraordinary performance. I'm not sure who it was for. There were a few moments there, I must admit, when I thought that I'd entered the chamber with the wrong piece of legislation before me because the tirade that we just heard really bears no resemblance to what we are being asked to consider today. I do think it's a real shame that that was the case. It is a shame that the speaker just before me is incapable of acting in good faith where there is broad agreement in the chamber here today and incapable of cooperating in the best interests of Australians. But, as they say, when people show you who they are, believe them. And I think we've seen that today from the shadow Treasurer.”
“They don't want slogans; they want bills that are easier to pay and a cleaner, better future through a plan that delivers and is accessible for them. That's exactly what this program is. I was really pleased to have Minister Chris Bowen visit my electorate a little while ago when we announced this particular program. I know from speaking to so many people in my community that they were so excited to see this program get underway. I'm thrilled to see the uptake in my community and I'm sure that it will continue because, like me, my community really does care about both the environment and making sure that we can do what we can to ease cost-of-living pressures on households every day.”
“The Albanese Labor government is powering Australia's future with over a quarter of a million households, small businesses and community organisations having installed a bill-busting battery under the Albanese government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program and around half of those installing new or upgraded solar systems at the same time. What this means in Chisholm is that 1,655 families and local businesses have embraced energy upgrades that save them money and make their homes and businesses much more energy efficient. These results show our community is getting on with it—taking up batteries and backing a cleaner energy future that is made from Australia's abundant renewable resources. My constituents are embracing this.”
“Whilst it was an incredible event, a true celebration of light over darkness, it did feel different without his presence. I want to thank him for his contribution to making our community so strong, and I send my love and support to his family, who continue his legacy. Without the contribution of these individuals, community organisations and our local governments, these outstanding cultural events would not take place and we would all be so much poorer for it. May this year bring happiness, positivity and new beginnings into the lives of those who celebrate Holi.”
“It was great fun to join so many friends—including the Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, local MP Steve Dimopoulos—and families for another amazing Rang Barse, Festival of Colours, at Brickmakers Park. The colour run is always a highlight and full of energy. It is a really important celebration all about the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil, and every year I reflect on how important that message is for all of us to bear in mind. I'd like to thank Yogesh, Meenu and other organisers from Bhakti Tarang for coordinating this event, and I acknowledge the support offered by the City of Monash, Hum Tum Task Force and Dr RnB Entertainment to the event too. I'd also like to take this opportunity to pay special tribute to Arvind Kumar Shrivastava, who passed away last December.”
“From ideas to support Australia becoming a clean energy superpower to questions about the quirks of being a federal parliamentarian, their enthusiasm for the future and their eagerness to understand how we arrived at our democracy as we know it now made for an incredibly uplifting and very fulfilling experience. I also want to take this moment to congratulate Anahera and Oliver on their election as school captains. Their passion and commitment to their peers was so obvious and truly inspiring. Our future is bright, with quite a few students there set to join us as future members, I'm sure. I've had a very busy few weeks in the time that I've been able to spend in Chisholm between parliament sittings. I want to wish everyone in Chisholm a very happy Holi.”
“I think, when we look around our communities and see the optimism of the young people in electorates right across Australia, we can all see that Australia's future is bright because they are just so passionate. Every time I visit a school in my community of Chisholm, it fills me with even more conviction to act on that optimism in this House, delivering a better future for them and the generations that will come after them. I want to really thank St Justin's Parish Primary School in Wheelers Hill for having me along to talk about our democracy and system of government. And what a knowledgeable group of young people they were. The variety of questions from their cohort was so impressive.”
“Australians celebrate Christmas and Easter, Lunar New Year, Hanukkah, Diwali, Ramadan, Holi and so many other celebrations, and I'm always very grateful as a representative of a very diverse community to be included in these celebrations and to learn from my neighbours in my community. It is really important that when we celebrate Harmony Week and Harmony Day we commit ourselves to doing everything we can every single day to make sure that every person in our community really does count and that we take steps to eliminate racial discrimination and violence when they do occur so that we can continue to be the best example of multiculturalism in the world.”
“Generations of Australians from all over the world built a country that has become confident enough to welcome people from every corner of the world. Again, that wasn't always the case, and we should all be proud that it is now. We must acknowledge the work that migrant communities have done over many years, working hard to build lives, uprooted from what they've know, building successful businesses, enriching our communities and contributing in every single way to our lives. Today Australia is home to people from more than 300 different ancestries, a nation of many languages, cultures and faiths.”
“Real social cohesion takes work and commitment, and it means that we must first eliminate racial discrimination. This means a fair go for everyone, and that is what it really means to be Australian. Committing to the value of opportunity for all and the hope and protection that Australia offers is our best offence against division and racial discrimination. Of course, Australia's success as a multicultural nation did not happen by accident. It was due to clear policy direction from the Whitlam government, driven by the fact that the White Australia policy was not appropriate for modern Australia. We do need to acknowledge the existence of the White Australia policy to acknowledge and counter racial discrimination in this country and to see that legacy that was something that was counter to true multiculturalism and diversity.”
“The declaration called on the international community to redouble its efforts to combat racism, prejudice and discrimination, and we must continue that work. As was mentioned, again, by the Minister this morning in her comments to the House, it's also important to remember that the concept of Harmony Day was introduced by the Howard government in 1999. That reframed the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in a way that softened the original meaning of the day and shifted it towards a general celebration. Of course we should celebrate diversity and the different cultural heritages that make Australia such a wonderful country, but we should also confront division at this time. Real harmony is something that must be built and defended through real action.”
“These laws forced black South Africans to carry documents restricting their movement within their own country. The protest was organised as an act of non-violent resistance. Participants deliberately presented themselves without passports to challenge the discriminatory system. Instead of responding peacefully, police opened fire on the crowd, with 69 people killed and more that 180 people injured. Many of those shot were fleeing the scene. This massacre, the Sharpeville massacre, became one of the most defining moments in the global struggle against apartheid, and the international reaction was appropriately profound and immediate, with the United Nations declaring 21 March the International day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 1966.”
“Harmony Week does, as the Minister made very clear in her statement this morning, coincide with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and it is important that we recognise of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and, indeed, the origin of what has become Harmony Day and Harmony Week. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination carries deep historical significance, reminding us that racism is not abstract and harmless. It's not just words, although words do matter. The day was established following a tragic event that shocked the world. On 21 March in 1960 thousands of people gathered in Sharpeville, South Africa, to peacefully protest the apartheid government's pass laws.”
“Again, we don't do this just in Harmony Week; we do this every single week and every single day. We need to take these moments as a call to action for us to recommit ourselves to the work that we all need to do in our communities to make sure that diversity is valued and cherished and that we see our neighbours as fellow Australians. We've seen some truly awful events over the summer in Australia, unfortunately, where people have been attacked for who they are, the religions that they practice and the places that they come from. We must all, both in and outside this place, commit ourselves every day to building a society where every person is respected and where everyone has equal opportunity.”
“My Italian heritage and my father's five generations of Australian identity are both part of the person that I am today. We are fortunate in Australia to be a country where multiculturalism is embraced and where people are able, and encouraged, to celebrate the cultures that shape them. When people come to Australia, culture is something that they contribute. It's not something they erase when they make that journey to become Australian citizens and contribute to our communities. Harmony Week highlights the enormous contributions made by migrant communities across Australia, reminding us that diversity has strengthened our nation in almost every single way—economically, culturally and socially. This celebration is really important, but it's also essential that we continue the work of building a truly inclusive society.”
“I wouldn't be here in this place if it wasn't for multiculturalism and the embrace of communities in Melbourne of Italians who migrated here after the Second World War. Like that of so many people in my community, my family's story is connected to migration, with my Italian family being among the more than 7.5 million people who've migrated to Australia since the end of the Second World War. My father's family came to Australia in the 19th century to find fortune on the goldfields. All these stories reflect the experiences of millions of Australians whose families came here seeking opportunity, safety and a better life. Our identities often reflect more than one cultural heritage too. Those identities all shape who we are and how we understand the world today.”
“The diversity in my community strengthens connections between people and it makes our community stronger. We are all privileged to share this country too with the world's oldest continuing culture. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have cared for this land and built communities for more than 60,000 years. Their cultures, knowledge and traditions form the foundation of the Australian story. Our national story continues to grow through the many cultures and histories that contribute to modern Australia. I am so privileged to represent a community where people proudly share their culture with their neighbours and contribute each and every day to the evolving story of our nation.”
“It requires us to actively build a society where every person feels valued, because they are valued; where every community feels that they belong, because they do belong; where one is kind to their neighbour, as a fellow Australian; and where no-one is defined by the colour of their skin or by their heritage. My electorate of Chisholm is one of the most diverse communities in the country, and I'm very proud to represent my electorate here in this place. Chisholm is a thriving example of multicultural Australia. People from many cultures, languages and faiths live and work together in our community, making enormous contributions. The diversity enriches our neighbourhoods, our workplaces, our schools, our sporting clubs, our other community groups and our neighbourhood houses.”