Speech to the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia Conference Gala Dinner, Brisbane
As I acknowledge country, I want also to acknowledge that Australia’s multicultural story begins with 65,000 years of the oldest continuous culture on earth.
When we speak of Australian multiculturalism, we span the millenia and honour the legacy of culture, history and heritage bequeathed to us by generations.
The things that are mighty about this country are very much on my mind as I prepare to welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Australia.
This is one of the great honours of my role, and I celebrate the opportunity to showcase the very best of our modern and diverse nation.
As Australians, we cherish our free, open and democratic spirit that is cherish is framed by the related and equally important elements of our Indigenous foundations, our British institutions, and our remarkable multicultural present and future.
Increasing understanding of the important role of the Crown and the constitution in the civic life of our nation is a priority for me and for the office of the Governor-General.
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For me, tonight’s gathering is the conclusion to a truly remarkable day.
With Carlo Carli and Elijah Buol as my guides, I have met FECCA’s board members, and community representatives and exhibitors from the across the country.
I have listened and learned.
Above all, I have felt the extraordinary energy of multicultural Australia.
And I have seen multiculturalism as the beating heart of modern, optimistic and vibrant Australia.
As you will have seen on screen over the course of today’s proceedings, through the Order of Australia we have an established system of honouring and showcasing the best of Australia.
This evening, I want to encourage you to participate in our system of honours and awards by nominating those in your communities who deserve recognition for the significant impact they have on the life of our nation.
Anyone can nominate at any time, so please, take action by nominating today.
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The results of FECCA’s 2023 Australian Multiculturalism Survey show that 92% of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds believe that they contribute to Australian society.
As a statement of belief in modern, multicultural Australia, this is an uplifting result.
Just as heartening is the Scanlon Foundation’s finding, also from 2023, that Australians are overwhelmingly positive towards multiculturalism and migrant diversity.
It seems to me that Australians have great faith in the future of our multicultural nation.
We see it as something to be celebrated – as a great and beautiful story.
And we have a responsibility to tell that story, boldly, exuberantly and often – just as FECCA does so well.
Because multiculturalism is our greatest asset, and diversity is our enduring strength.
Our nation’s history is home to many versions of multiculturalism.
And the manner in which we express it today would be unrecognisable – even to the visionaries of the 1970s, who first gave multiculturalism its currency.
Today, we live in an Australia where private meetings and public events are opened with a Welcome to Country from Traditional Owners.
Where an artwork selected to represent Australia – kith and kin, by the Kamilaroi and Bigambul man Archie Moore – is awarded the highest honour, the Golden Lion for Best National Participation, at the Venice Biennale.
Where a Deepavali ceremony can take place at Government House in Canberra.
Where our first female Muslim boxer to represent Australia competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Where Australia’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Mr Ridwan Jadwati, is a South Africa–born migrant who celebrates our diversity as “absolutely fundamental to who we are”.
Where the Australian Defence Force celebrates the cultural and linguistic diversity of service women and men as critical to its future.
Where an incoming governor-general's suit is sewn by a migrant women supported by a community organisation determined to build economic opportunities for those most recently arrived.
Where migrant-run businesses contribute billions of dollars to our economy, and provide jobs and financial security to hundreds of thousands of Australians.
Where nearly half of all Australians have a parent born overseas, and close to one third report an overseas birthplace.
And where the care, kindness and respect of migrant communities is a gift of hope that uplifts all Australians in their moments of greatest need.
At my swearing-in as Governor-General I promised to depict and amplify the voices of all Australians.
I undertook to hear our stories, and to learn of our courage, imagination and care for our country.
Sharing and celebrating the contribution of multicultural Australia to the progress and prosperity of our nation is essential to that undertaking.
Peter Gutwein, former premier of Tasmania and current Chair of the Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania, has made it his mission to depict multicultural Australia as a gift to our nation.
As you know, he recently finished a long walk from Sydney to Parliament House in Canberra, where he went to encourage a national commitment to multiculturalism, and to highlight the contribution made by migrants to Australia.
On his way, he called in to Government House to share his message with me.
As Peter puts it, so beautifully,
“we are all Australians and we are simply better when we are together”.
Finding ways to amplify the contributions and opportunities of multiculturalism – as you are here in Brisbane and as Peter did with his trek …
… dispelling the scourge of racism and bigotry in all its forms …
… and embedding diversity as fundamental to our identity and the strength on which our nation thrives …
… is an investment in Australia’s future.
I have cause, every day, to celebrate Australia’s migrant communities.
Thank you for the opportunity to celebrate with you tonight.
It is a pleasure and a privilege to witness your vision, energy and optimism.
I am keenly interested to hear the outcome of your conference deliberations, and to witnessing FECCA’s work long into the future.