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South Australia’s
South Australia’s Ethnic Media reception
By: Daljeet Bakshi
Ethnic Media reception was held in Adelaide Parliament by the South Australia Labor Leader, Peter Malinauskas, the Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Zoe Bettison and the Assistant Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Joe Szakacs to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of ethnic media in keeping the ethnic communities connected and informed. The South Australian Labor Leader, Peter Malinauskas, said “Multiculturalism isn’t part of South Australian society. It is our society. Ethnic media have an important role in our society to preserve the language and culture in South Australia. If we are to form Government at the next election, we want to make sure the efforts of ethnic media are well supported.
Our largest migrant community continues to deepen the fabric of SA life. Through language, food, faith and a reputation of hard work our Italian community impacts both the city and the regions. With a strong volunteering culture the community gives back in many ways, said The Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Zoe Bettison.
In language media plays a pivotal role in telling the stories of our multicultural communities. Stories of festas. Stories of family. Stories of faith. It is these stories, in language, that keep culture alive, said Joe Szakacs, The Assistant Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs.
The Festivals of Adelaide
By: Daljeet Bakshi
By Daljeet Bakshi
On 14 October 2021, the landmark South Australian Multicultural Bill 2021 passed both Houses of Parliament and will soon become law.
This historically significant occurrence fulfils the Government’s aim of providing new legislation that reflects the needs of our multicultural state today and sets a foundation for modern policy directions.
Developed following the 2019 review of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission Act 1980, the state’s sole piece of multicultural legislation, the South Australian Multicultural Bill will replace the SAMEAC Act.
The Bill reflects the feedback received during the review consultation, which strongly supported the need for us to expand our thinking on multiculturalism. To this end, the concept of interculturalism has been incorporated into the legislation as being inclusive, contemporary, and encouraging greater collaboration and the exchange of information and ideas between all sectors of our diverse community.
The centrepiece of the new legislation is the South Australian Multicultural Charter, which will be developed following the passage of the legislation. The Charter will be a set of principles defining what multiculturalism and interculturalism mean to all South Australians. The development of the Charter will be led by the South Australian Multicultural Commission, which is charged with the responsibility of leading community consultations as a vital part of this process.
Background
Multicultural Affairs has undertaken a review of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission Act 1980, which is our state’s key piece of multicultural legislation.
Since the time of that legislation, South Australia’s population and multicultural landscape has changed significantly.
The review of the Act has provided an opportunity to set a foundation for the development of new multicultural policy that reflects the state’s cultural, linguistic and religious diversity, recognises the valuable contribution of our diverse communities, and supports the development of culturally responsive government services.
The legislative review aimed to explore options for expanding the scope and purpose of the legislation to enshrine multicultural policy directions review the functions and powers of the Commission and ensure its title reflects this review the appointment process of Commission members contemporise the language used in the Act.
