ANDREW GILES MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIES AND URBAN INFRASTRUCTURE
SHADOW MINISTER ASSISTING FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP
MEMBER FOR SCULLIN
STATEMENT ON THE FIRST ASIAN AUSTRALIAN LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Labor supports the vital contribution of this week’s Asian-Australian Leadership Summit in Melbourne to national debate.
All Australians can take pride in the successes of our multiculturalism, and of Asian Australians across so many fields of endeavour.
But we can’t take this for granted, or fail to recognise and respond to continuing barriers to participation and achievement.
It is clear we have more to do to realise the potential of every Australian.
In particular, Labor acknowledges the persistence of the "bamboo ceiling'' - that Asian Australians make up 12% of our population but only hold 3% of senior leadership positions in the public and private sectors.
Labor is listening to multicultural communities - and will be listening to the outcomes of the Summit so that we can more effectively tackle racism and discrimination, wherever they are found, and fully realise the benefits of our diversity.
Labor congratulates all involved in bringing together the Summit, and looks forward to the dialogue it will establish.