SENATOR THE HON KRISTINA KENEALLY
DEPUTY LABOR LEADER IN THE SENATE
SHADOW MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
ANDREW GILES MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
MEMBER FOR SCULLIN
PETER KHALIL MP
MEMBER FOR WILLS
ANNE STANLEY MP
MEMBER FOR WERRIWA
Today Federal Labor launched its new Multicultural Engagement Taskforce in Melbourne.
The purpose of Labor's Multicultural Engagement Taskforce is to engage multicultural Australia to help inform, with as many voices as possible, Federal Labor's policies - the role of multiculturalism in fostering social cohesion and Australian identity.
The taskforce will be chaired by Peter Khalil MP and Secretary Anne Stanley MP.
Labor believes in opportunity for all - that's why we are listening to multicultural Australians.
People of all cultures deserve the opportunity to thrive in Australia and Labor wants to ensure our policies are informed by all Australians.
Labor's Multicultural Engagement Taskforce will complement the work of Labor's new Multicultural Policy Caucus Committee by examining policies affecting multicultural communities.
For example, we know that women and children from culturally diverse backgrounds often have limited access to support services and are less likely to seek assistance - so we will examine new ways of tackling this issue.
The taskforce will also focus on the support available to multicultural small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Labor's Multicultural Engagement Taskforce will examine policies affecting multicultural communities and provide advice to the Multicultural Policy Caucus Committee, Shadow Minister and Shadow Cabinet a report and recommendations, in the areas of: Quality of access to Commonwealth government services for multicultural communities.
Current Commonwealth support provided to multicultural communities in the areas of small business, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Barriers and needs of multicultural communities regarding access to Commonwealth government services.
Networking and partnership opportunities to help multicultural business and community groups to succeed.
Submissions to Labor's Multicultural Engagement Taskforce can be made to: https://alp.org.au/lmet/en. We welcome submissions in different languages and mediums.
The taskforce will travel to capital and regional centres consulting with multicultural communities until May 2020, with a final report in July 2020.