More migrants are needed in state Parliament in order to reflect Victoria’s cultural diversity, said Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras. The Greek-born minister said that more than a quarter of Victorians were born overseas, but only 14 per cent of current MPs were. The Parliament’s 17 migrant MPs include Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell (England), Consumer Affairs Minister Michael O’Brien (Ireland), Labor planning spokesman Brian tee (south Africa) and Greens leader Greg Barber (New Zealand). Mr Kotsiras told Herald Sun he was not hinting at quotas to boost Parliament’s diversity, but was concerned that many migrants didn’t understand the political system. “If we educate people about our laws, how the parliament works, perhaps some of them will have an interest in running for Parliament,” he said. “I’d prefer to see more interest in our political system because then our democracy is stronger.” Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria chairman Joe Caputo supported the idea, saying a Parliament that is not reflective of the community could lead to the community feeling excluded from the political process and “create an ‘us and them’ perception”. The Victorian government has recently launched a new multicultural policy based on citizenship. Mr Kotsiras said newly arrived immigrants and refugees needed more information on their rights and responsibilities to them integrate and engage in their new communities. The minister emphasised that it’s about making people feel a sense of belonging. “It’s about making people feel part of the community and, dare I say, feel part of team Victoria and Team Australia,” he said.