STATE GOVERNMENT HELP FOR ETHNIC COMMUNITIES IN CRISIS

The Queensland Government has strengthened its commitment to multiculturalism by launching a toolkit that will help ethnic communities deal with crises.

During the launch of Harmony Day celebrations in Yeppoon today, Multiculturalism Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said the Managing the Impact of Global Crisis Events on Community Relations in Multicultural Australia: Community Relations Toolkit would help the State Government and community groups understand the way global tensions affected community relations.

The toolkit was developed by Monash University and the Australian Multicultural Foundation, and jointly funded by Multicultural Affairs Queensland and the Victorian Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Ms Nelson-Carr said the toolkit would also provide information on how to manage and promote positive community relations during crises and every day.

“The purpose and success of Queensland’s multicultural policy has been to build a state which recognises the diversity of its citizens and assists in building a strong sense of belonging.

“But no matter how long migrants have lived in Australia, their standing as valued members of the community is sometimes undermined by negative stereotyping and simplistic analysis of devastating events in their countries of origin.

“These publications will help communities who face vilification and harassment so their safety and sense of belonging is retained.

“What better day to launch such a project than on National Harmony Day, a day that promotes the social, cultural and economic benefits provided by Australia’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity.”

Since 1945 more than six million people have settled in Australia and in 60 years of post-war migration, Australia's population has jumped from 6 million to about 20 million.

The background report and toolkit are available on Multicultural Affairs Queensland’s website at www.multicultural.qld.gov.au

Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Andie Gatti 3336 8002