Townsville hosts first of state-wide multicultural forums

Ensuring Townsville’s ethnic community knew where they could go for help and support was one of the subjects discussed today at the first of a series of state-wide forums on the Multicultural Highlights report.

Multiculturalism Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr, who opened the forum today, said the report outlined the achievements State Government departments had made in providing services that met the needs of migrants and refugees.

“If new arrivals are to make a successful ‘go’ of their life, they need to be able to access services which are culturally sensitive.

“As the Multiculturalism Minister, I’m pleased to see the work State Government departments have done to achieve this.

“For example, Education Queensland has allocated $6.6 million over three years to schools to support refugee students and Queensland Health has allocated $3.2 million to establish a state-wide interpreting service.”

Townsville Multicultural Support Group co-ordinator and Co-ordinated Advocacy in the Multicultural Sector worker Meg Davis said it was important government, service providers and community organisations listened and responded jointly to the problems refugees and migrants faced in a new country.

“This forum could serve as one of the means by which key people in community organisations and government can exchange information that will shape the Government’s multicultural action plans.”

Townsville Migrant Resource Centre director Dr Farvardin Daliri said the multicultural feedback forum was an opportunity for the people of the region to discuss the achievements that had been made in community relations and the improvements that could be made.

“This in turn will provide a solid foundation for further improving the employment prospects of people from diverse cultural backgrounds through collaboration and a unified vision."

Media contact: Andie Gatti 3336 8002