RAMADAN MUBARAK

Monday, 1 August 2011

Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello MP extended his best wishes to Australians of the Islamic faith on the first day of Ramadan. 

“Today, I say Ramadan Mubarak (a blessed Ramadan), as the Muslim community of NSW begins the holy month of Ramadan,” Minister Dominello said.

“Fasting and reflecting from dawn until sunset during Ramadan is a key pillar of Islamic worship. During Ramadan, Muslims seek to renew and deepen their faith.

“As NSW Minister for Citizenship and Communities I am extraordinarily proud to be able to celebrate a variety of national days and religious holidays. This is what makes NSW a truly incredible and diverse state.

“With mutual respect and understanding, we can continue to celebrate cultural and religious diversity within NSW, while at the same time strengthening our overall community,” Minister Dominello said.

Minister to highlight needs of local multicultural community

Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello MP will visit Wagga Wagga tomorrow to launch the state’s first Regional Multicultural Coordinators Forum and highlight the needs of local multicultural residents and the responsibility of local service providers.

“The NSW Government is committed to improving information and service delivery for multicultural residents, particularly those who live in regional centres and do not have access to the same support structures available in the cities,” Minister Dominello said.

“When we build greater awareness of diversity, and provide equality of services, new migrants and those from non-English speaking backgrounds are best placed to make a positive contribution to our state’s economic, cultural and social development.

“Multiculturalism is an asset for NSW – and the new Government is determined that that asset provide an even greater dividend to all our State’s residents.

“To do this, we need to build greater understanding between Government agencies and the community to ensure that multiculturalism works for the benefit of all.

“This means ensuring that every person, whatever their ethnic or religious background, is treated equally and appropriately in every interaction they have with Government, whether it be in the public health system, justice system or with community services,” Minister Dominello said.

“The role of local public servants is critical in this process. They are on the ground each and every day and they must have the knowledge to ensure effective and responsive service delivery.

“Tomorrow’s local forum will bring together a range of public officials including representatives from the health, justice, police and community services sectors to talk about the legal obligations of multiculturalism and mechanisms to better support local residents.”

Minister Dominello will launch the Community Relations Commission Regional Multicultural Coordinators Forum at 10:30am Wednesday 27 July at the Carriage House Motor Inn.

Another day, another Labor reshuffle, another snub to multiculturalism

14 June 2011

“Today’s dumping of Sophie Cotsis MLC as Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Communities, to make room for the Shadow Cabinet return of the rejected Steve Whan, shows the complete disregard NSW Labor has for multicultural communities,” said Victor Dominello MP, Minister for Citizenship and Communities.

“The Labor Party continues to treat multiculturalism as mere tokenism.”

“To dump a Shadow Minister after only three months in the job shows that the Labor Party has learned nothing and will continue the reshuffle after reshuffle that ruined their time in Government.

“After having been thoroughly rejected by multicultural communities at the last poll, the Labor Party should realise that multicultural communities want to be taken seriously.

“Replacing Ms Cotsis so soon proves that NSW Labor just doesn’t take multicultural communities seriously.

“Certainty and respect is something that the O’Farrell Government guarantees for our multicultural communities because we see multiculturalism as not only a great way of life, but a major asset for our State.”