A new bridge spanning the political landscape in Victoria in support of multiculturalism was unveiled at the recent launch of Federal Parliamentary Friends of Multiculturalism in Victoria, held at Alphington Grammar School on June 2.
The launch of the cross-party body was attended by a host of community representatives and politicians. In a special message to those who attended, Prime Minister Julia Gillard paid tribute to both the federal member for Calwell – Maria Vamvakinou and the member for McMillan -Russell Broadbent, for organising the event which the PM noted was “an alliance between a first generation migrant and a fourth generation Australian.”
The Prime Minister’s message went on to describe how the federal government had recently “reaffirmed its commitment to a multicultural Australia by releasing its multicultural policy, The People of Australia,” which she said, “supports a culturally diverse and socially cohesive Australian society and acknowledges that significant economic and social benefits flow from this”.
Labor’s Maria Vamvakinou and the coalition’s Russell Broadbent said as the group’s joint convenors, they were thrilled with the groups success and widespread support since its inception in March 2011.”Multiculturalism is part of the link to our cultural heritage,” said Maria Vamvakinou. “It is these cultural ties, woven as they are into a vast tapestry, that make up the cosmopolitan community Australia has become,” added the member for McMillan.