The Gillard government is calling for people to nominate national heritage places in Australia that best represents multicultural Australia.

It aims to celebrate Australia by looking at the stories and contribution of migrants and will be the new heritage theme for 2013.
Launched by Environment Minister, Tony Burke and Multicultural Affairs Minister, Kate Lundy, the nominations are open to any examples of indigenous heritage and places of significance to migrants.

“The national heritage list has many examples of indigenous heritage and many examples of our colonial history, but I have never understood why we have been so slow to recognise the heritage of those families who have come to Australia in the many waves of immigration we have had subsequent to our colonial history,” Mr Burke said.

“The whole concept of the heritage list is to tell the story of Australia. Only when the multicultural stories are added will the list truly tell the story of our nation.”

Senator Lundy said Australia is a successful multicultural nation with over 7 million migrants successfully settling here since the Second World War.

“I encourage Australians to nominate places that capture the contributions of migrants so their legacy can continue for future generations,” Senator Lundy said.

A call for nominations for places on the National Heritage and Commonwealth Heritage lists is currently open and will close on 15 March 2013.

For more information go to http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/nominating/index.html