The Minns Labor Government met with Australian-Indian leaders from across NSW today to discuss recent threats to cohesion in the community.
More than 40 leaders from peak bodies and community organisations joined a roundtable with the Premier, the Treasurer and the Minister for Multiculturalism, supported by Multicultural NSW.
The NSW Government is committed to listening to the leaders in our communities, and working towards safeguarding social harmony.
A key request from the roundtable was a call for bipartisan support for the Australian-Indian community. As such, the Minns Labor Government will be moving a motion and will seek bipartisan support in the NSW Parliament.
Notice of the motion will be given today, with the expectation the motion will be debated on Wednesday 10 September.
Premier of NSW, Chris Minns said:
"I can say without fear of contradiction that the Australian Indian community have done so much for our country, this community is full of hard working and decent people who join communities, who raise their families, who prioritise their community, and lastly, but I think most importantly, who love Australia, who love our country.
"Today we stand together with the Australian Indian community to say unambiguously that the sort of racist rhetoric and divisive false claims we have seen over the last couple of weeks have no place in our state or country.
"When neo-Nazis and white supremacists spread lies and fear, we will call it out because the truth is that a lie can race around the world before the truth gets its pants on, and the truth is that Australian Indians are one of the most successful, patriotic and community-minded groups in our nation."
Treasurer of New South Wales, Daniel Mookhey said:
"Australian Indians should not be used as fodder in an internal Liberal Party dispute as it works through its view on migration.
"We can debate Australia's immigration policy without singling out any one group as being the reason why it needs to be changed.
"The Minns Labor Government has a responsibility to make sure that our Australian-Indian community is safe, is supported and hears our very clear message - this kind of dangerous rhetoric is unacceptable."
Minister for Multiculturalism, Steve Kamper said:
"Our Australian-Indian community, like any community, has the right to feel safe and welcome in Australia. The fact that they have been intimidated and vilified is a blight on our State.
"The Australian-Indian Community is defined by their commitment to community, their aspirational ambition and their hardworking nature. They personify the very characteristics we cherish as a nation, that hard work will be met with opportunity, that contributing to the community will lead to a better life, and that respect will be met with respect. Our society is richer for their contribution.
"We will continue to work with our Australian-Indian community to ensure a better future for generations to come."
