Multicultural Affairs Ministers across Australia met on Monday 6 September 2021 to discuss Commonwealth, State and Territory support for the resettlement of Afghan nationals in response to events in Afghanistan and cooperation to mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Hon Alex Hawke MP, chaired the Forum, which was attended by Ministers or their representatives, from each State and Territory.
Minister Hawke updated his State and Territory colleagues on the situation in Afghanistan and the work by the Commonwealth to repatriate Australian citizens, permanent residents and vulnerable Afghan nationals, particularly women and children, and locally engaged employees that supported Australia's military and diplomatic deployment.
Minister Hawke also invited Mr Paris Aristotle AO, Co-Chair of the Advisory Panel on Australia's Resettlement of Afghan Nationals, to brief the Forum on the Panel's work supporting Afghan evacuees as they settle in Australia.
Multicultural Affairs Ministers discussed the importance of culturally appropriate and coordinated service delivery in supporting the settlement of Afghan nationals as well as impacted Afghan Australian communities. Ministers discussed access to legal advice, mental health services and timely visa processes. Ministers committed to work together in partnership, noting the strong desire of the Australian community to support the successful settlement of people newly arrived from Afghanistan.
Noting the importance of ongoing efforts to support a successful COVID-19 vaccine rollout throughout Australia, Ministers discussed the importance of providing ongoing support for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.
Ministers agreed to:
- work together at this distressing time for so many people, particularly Afghan Australians, to support coordinated and effective settlement arrangements for the Afghan intake;
- work in partnership with Afghan community leaders in Australia, and leading refugee advocates and service providers, to welcome people from Afghanistan to Australia and maximise their sense of belonging, mental health and wellbeing and broader settlement outcomes;
- continue cooperation in relation to the safe, effective and culturally appropriate delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to CALD communities; and
- continue cooperation to counter COVID-19 related misinformation and distribute accurate, authorised and targeted health information to CALD communities, in English and in community languages, including in accessible audio and visual formats.
MINISTERIAL Attendees*
Name |
Title |
The Hon Alex Hawke MP |
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs |
Tara Cheyne MLA Australian Capital Territory |
Minister for the Arts Minister for Business and Better Regulation Minister for Human Rights Minister for Multicultural Affairs Assistant Minister for Economic Development |
The Hon Natalie Ward MLC New South Wales |
Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans |
The Hon Kate Worden MLA Northern Territory |
Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing Minister for Disabilities Minister for Sport Minister for Multicultural Affairs |
The Hon Leanne Linard MP Queensland |
Minister for Children and Youth Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs |
The Hon Jing Lee MLC South Australia |
Assistant Minister to the Premier |
The Hon Ros Spence MP Victoria |
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Minister for Community Sport Minister for Youth |
The Hon Dr Tony Buti MLA Western Australia |
Minister for Finance; Lands; Sport and Recreation; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests |
*The Hon Jeremy Rockliff MP, Tasmanian Deputy Premier and Minister for Community Services and Development, was unable to attend due to Parliamentary commitments.
