Minister for Multiculturalism, the Hon. Mark Coure MP

I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands and waters
on which we meet – the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.
In doing so, I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging.
I also pay my respects to any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here
today.
I would also like to acknowledge the many distinguished guests:
o Premier of New South Wales, the Hon Dominic Perrottet MP
o Chair of Multicultural NSW, Dr Hari Harinath OAM
o CEO of Multicultural NSW, Mr Joseph La Posta
o The Hon Victor Dominello MP, Minister for Customer Service and
Digital Government
And, most importantly, I acknowledge you, the many outstanding religious and
community leaders present.

Before I talk to why we are all here, I want to make one final, yet important
acknowledgement—Refugee Week.
I believe Refugee Week is incredibly important.
It is a time to recognise the experiences of people from a Refugee background
and the contributions they make to our great multicultural society.
Since 2016, more than 31,000 refugees have all found a brighter future here in
NSW.
I want to say that it is because of our Government’s investment and
partnership with service providers that we can provide refugees with
opportunities to live their best life.
Ladies and gentlemen, the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us a lot about
communities and of course one another.
But among all the things it has taught us, I believe the most important lesson is
that we can serve the people of our communities best when Government, and
faith and community leaders work together.

That is because here in NSW our greatest strength is you—our people.
People who put the needs of others first.
People who believe in the greater good.
People who believe that through faith, we can be tested and tested, but know
we will always emerge stronger.
And with that being said, I sincerely mean it when I say it is a pleasure to have
you all gathered here today.
Because it is an opportunity for us to say thank you for your support, your
sacrifice, and your leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As I am sure many of you recall, prior to the pandemic, forums were held by
our members in your communities and your places of worship.
It was during these forums, we had the opportunity to connect with you, talk
with you and learn about the challenges facing your communities.

It was also an opportunity to break down barriers and foster a greater
understanding of each other’s faith and the incredible work your organisations
do.
During the pandemic, those forums moved online. But it didn’t make them any
less important.
In fact, it strengthened the significance of them.
Those forums ensured we remained connected and worked together to help
others.
I genuinely believe that, while unable to meet face-to-face, we built a stronger
relationship with each other.
I believe that because we were united with a common goal—to keep people
safe.
And you did this by being the first among many to roll up your sleeves to get
vaccinated.

This alone was an important symbol to your communities—you led the way to
demonstrate that vaccination was the key to beating the pandemic.
You helped us get that message out there. You showed people that their
actions could make a big difference.
But you also went one step further, by offering your places of worship and
community halls to assist the vaccination effort.
That act alone significantly contributed to our state becoming one of the most
vaccinated populations in Australia, and, in turn, Australia having one of the
highest vaccination rates in the world.
In addition to this, your ensured vital health messages were shared among
your communities.
Then of course, you shared ideas with us to further stop the spread of COVID19.
For this, I say thank you. Our Government says thank you. And the people of
NSW say thank you.

Now, as we continue to emerge out of the pandemic, we do so with stronger
relationships and the mutual understanding that we must work together to
achieve the best outcomes for our communities.
Today marks the first in-person gathering of the Multicultural NSW Religious
Communities Forum following the pandemic.
And while the pandemic is now moving further and further behind us, each and
every one of us still remain steadfast in our need to support our communities.
We have set a new standard—where our future success rests in our need to
continue to collaborate and maintain the strong relationships we have formed.
Well, we believe in these relationships. We believe in them so much that we
want to invest in them, and strengthen them even further.
Two weeks ago, the Premier and I announced the formation of a NSW
Religious Communities Advisory Council, as part of a record $28 million
investment in our State’s multicultural and multi-faith future

And of course, this advisory council will represent the rich religious diversity of
the people of NSW.
And as part of this investment, the NSW Government is especially committed
to addressing concerns over the safety and security of religious institutions.
Because we are firm in our stance that diversity, especially religious diversity,
should be protected and celebrated.
No one should live in fear in our state. Let alone for practising their faith.
We are securing a future where everyone’s culture, language and religion can
flourish.
Because we are proud to be united in our diversity.
And through your participation in the Multicultural NSW Religious Communities
Forum, we all continue to support the strategies that build up our communities.
We are prioritising our engagement with you because we value you, your
contributions and your leadership.

On behalf of the NSW Government, I pass on my deep thanks for all your
support in getting us to this point today.
And as I’ve said earlier, our greatest strength is our people.
And when we are all united as one there is nothing we can’t achieve.
I would now like to welcome our Premier, the Hon. Dominic Perrottet to the
stage to provide his personal thanks.