Federal Labor MP Julian Hill, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs as well as Assistant Minister for International Education, has delivered a powerful speech at the Victorian Premier’s Multicultural Gala Dinner, describing multiculturalism as “Australia’s defining strength” and warning against the dangers of extremism and division.
Hill said that Australia’s human diversity was its greatest strength and particularly celebrated Victoria as the country’s most cosmopolitan state.
Hill’s speech centred on three key themes. He thanked multicultural community leaders and volunteers for their tireless efforts in helping migrants adapt to life in Australia, preserving cultural traditions, and sharing them across the wider community. He then cautioned that social cohesion must never be taken for granted, citing the impact of global conflicts, and foreign interference. Condemning rallies planned by neo-Nazi groups, he declared:
“They are not marches for Australia, they are marches against Australia. I will always stand up for multicultural Australia.”
He further praised Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan for her leadership, calling her “smart, kind, authentic, tough and thoroughly decent,” and reflected on her record as Australia’s longest-serving female Cabinet Minister before becoming Premier.
Premier Allan also used the platform to condemn weekend rallies in CBDs across the country, stressing that Victoria stood for inclusion and equality. She told the gathering:
“Here, everyone matters, everyone belongs, everyone is equal. Everyone deserves to be safe in our state and free of hate.”
Hill urged Australians to remain proud and optimistic about the nation’s future. He said that the majority of Australians embrace diversity and had already rejected “the politics of fear, division, discrimination and toxic negativity” at the last federal election.
“An Australian to me is anyone committed to our country and our democratic institutions, and to that basic principle of mutual respect,” Hill said.
“Multicultural success takes leadership at all levels. Government alone is never enough. Thank you to every one of you here tonight for the work you do in bringing people together as Australians in this great nation of ours.”
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