ECCV Signing of the Community Accord

Speech at Queen’s Hall, Parliament House, Melbourne

21 March, 2007

Delivered by Phong Nguyen, Chairperson

First may I begin by paying my respect to the traditional owners of the land—the Kulin Nation—and their elders past and present.

I would also like to acknowledge the Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs, Daniel Andrews. We know you have made a flying start in your new portfolio and we welcome you at our first event together.

Thank you also to our VMC Chairperson, George Lekakis, a tireless champion for multicultural communities.

And welcome to all of our Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria members, friends and staff who have joined us here today to sign the community accord.

We have had a busy time at the ECCV over the past few weeks with the recent launch of our new look aged care publication in Carlton, and our regional migration kit in Ballarat. Tonight we also launch our Australia-Africa Democracy Project at the Carlton Housing Commission Flats. In fact in the last month we have launched everything but a rocket!

Thanks to our Executive Officer Peter van Vliet and the staff at ECCV for the great work they have been doing for our membership and our wider community.

Today is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

This stems from the International Covenant on the Elimination of all forms of racial Discrimination, which was enacted by the United Nations in 1965 and was ratified by Australia in 1975.

This is one of the great body of instruments of the United Nations that seeks to protect the human rights of people around the globe. These important instruments include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

As we see a rise of tension around our globe due to recent world events, these human rights have become more important than ever.

And in Victoria we are most pleased that we have a State Government that is committed to protecting the rights of minority communities and is not afraid to champion multiculturalism and the great benefits it has brought to our state: Economic, social and cultural benefits.

Unfortunately at the federal level we now have proposed changes to citizenship laws in the form of a higher level English test. This may make it hard for many new migrants to become citizens. As Petro Georgiou, MP, has said these new laws fail the ‘fair go’ test.

Removing the word multicultural affairs from the Federal Government’s list of ministries also gives the impression of a government that does not support our great cultural diversity.

But enough of that! Today we celebrate the great things happening in Victoria and the great community harmony we have fostered in this state.

When I look around this room I see all the faces that have helped build this great State. All the people who have come from many lands to call this place their home.

You all deserve the greatest thanks for your work in building our community.

By signing the community accord today we are committing to ensuring Victoria remains a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous state.

Thanks to you all!