Representation Matters: seminar celebrates cultural and linguistic diversity
Download the media release30 July 2024
On 9 August, NSW Parliament brings you an exciting evening conversation — Representation Matters: Culture & Identity. Join current and former NSW parliamentarians as they explore the evolving cultural diversity of NSW Parliament’s Legislative Council (the Upper House).
Representation Matters: Culture & Identity shares the personal journeys and stories of Legislative Council members from cultural and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. The seminar also explores how the Upper House has helped shape multicultural policy and engaged CALD communities over the decades. It is part of an exciting program of events marking the Bicentenary of
the Legislative Council – Australia’s very first legislature.
President of the NSW Legislative Council, Ben Franklin MLC said the Bicentenary offers a unique opportunity to foster conversations about the valuable contribution diverse representation has made to democracy in NSW, while providing an opportunity to reflect on how we can continue to engage and support diverse voices into the future.
‘NSW is home to incredibly culturally diverse communities across our regions and cities, with more than 2.3 million people born in more than 250 other countries,’ Mr Franklin said.
‘NSW also led the way with multiculturalism as the first Australian state to enshrine multicultural principles in legislation. This event is an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come and explore how we can continue to build a culturally diverse parliamentary democracy of the future.’
Chaired by President Franklin, the panel discussion will feature current and former parliamentarians:
- The Hon Daniel Mookhey MLC, Treasurer
- The Hon Natalie Ward MLC, Shadow Minister for Transport and Roads, Infrastructure, and the Illawarra and South Coast; Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party in the Legislative Council
- The Hon Bob Nanva MLC, current member of the Legislative Council
- The Hon John Ajaka, former President of the Legislative Council
- The Hon Dr Helen Sham-Ho, former member of the Legislative Council