My dear Federal Parliamentary colleagues; when I visit schools, I tell students the story of a five-year-old frightened migrant child arriving at Port Melbourne and his first experiences in a new country.

It was a time when he was too embarrassed to acknowledge where he came from, when he tried to hide his identity, a time when his teacher discouraged him learning a second language and a time of adjustment, assimilation, ignorance and intolerance.

It was a time when his family saw themselves as aliens, as foreigners in a new country.

I tell them, however, that today we no longer fear cultural diversity and that we should be proud of who we are. Today, we embrace and promote cultural and religious differences because diversity is a fact of life across the globe.

I tell them that unity and social cohesion do not occur by encouraging assimilation and trying to suppress differences. Our history has shown us that. Unity can occur by accepting diversity, promoting and respecting differences and emphasising what we have in common.

And I tell them that I want all children to feel part of our nation, part of Team Australia – not as an add-on, a cultural curiosity, but as an integral part of our country, because each one adds value to our community.

I tell them that being Australian does not mean that you can’t be Orthodox, Muslim or Hindu.

I tell them of the importance of a cohesive, multicultural society, where all people are treated equally, regardless of their cultural or religious background; that Australian multiculturalism encourages all people to share a commitment to Australia, its institutions and the rule of law.

Such an inclusive society not only enables people to participate in the economic, social and cultural life of the nation, but it is also a society governed by universal aspirations and values: the values of social justice, inclusive citizenship and equality of opportunity.

You see, colleagues, multiculturalism does not refer to just newly arrived migrants and refugees. It depicts who we are as a nation; a nation of immigrants with a rich and proud indigenous past. Multiculturalism encompasses all of us.

Colleagues, you can therefore appreciate my bewilderment when some of you simply avoid mentioning the ‘M’ word. I am equally perplexed when some world leaders and politicians claim that multiculturalism has failed; especially when evidence shows us that in countries that have tried to suppress diversity, there is resentment and conflict among their citizens.

To say multiculturalism has failed is to lose faith in humanity’s capacity to coexist and strive forward. Attacking multiculturalism for short-term political gain or as a distraction from other issues is irresponsible.

Therein lies the way forward, colleagues. The first task is to acknowledge who we are as a nation and to take multiculturalism to the next level, to ensure we evolve and build upon our achievements and overcome future challenges for the benefit of all.

We owe it to each other to find the path that values and respects the differences and similarities.

To change the narrative to one that not only addresses the barriers to full and equal participation – as important as that is – but one that also emphasises the benefits of diversity for all, a narrative that touches and draws on the values, emotions and beliefs.

BUT to articulate a clearer vision, to communicate a narrative and build on our achievements, we need more than platitudes at multicultural functions. My colleagues, please consider introducing an Australian Multicultural Act which defines the principles of multiculturalism and lays the foundations for an open, united and inclusive society.
In 2012, you disregarded our recommendation to the Commonwealth Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s Inquiry into Multiculturalism in Australia. I failed to convince you.
You might have ignored our suggestion because you believed such an Act will divide our nation. But both Canada and Victoria have a Multicultural Act and Melbourne and Vancouver have regularly been ranked among the most liveable cities in the world.

If you won’t support such an Act, stop your hollow praise of multiculturalism and the benefits that cultural diversity brings to this nation. Above all please don’t diminish the benefits of migration with glib statements about having a friend from Sicily who makes the best pasta or a neighbour from Mumbai who makes the best biryani.

By introducing a Multicultural Act, you are simply acknowledging that five-year-old’s identity. That boy who arrived at Port Melbourne is now a 55-year-old Aussie who is proud of his Hellenic heritage. Colleagues, that boy was me and you can have unity through diversity.

There is nothing to fear from the ‘M’ word.

*Nicholas Kotsiras MLA is the former Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship. This opinion piece was first published in the
Herald Sun.