CMCF
Canberra Multicultural Community Forum (CMCF) Inc
ACT Election 2008
In order to increase the awareness and understanding of members of the ACT multicultural community about the upcoming ACT Election, CMCF is providing an opportunity for candidates to include their individual profiles on the CMCF website subject to the profile meeting CMCF's requirements. These requirements are shown here. Profiles have been added to this website in the order received.
CMCF does not take any legal or political responsibilities for publishing these profiles. These responsibilities remain with individual candidates.
JACQUI MYERS - Liberal Candidate for Ginninderra
As a married mother of three and currently a self-employed financial analyst, Jacqui brings a wealth of life experience to her role as a Liberal candidate, as well as considerable dedication to improving the wellbeing of her community.
During her Liberal Party career, she has championed small business and family issues, advocating policies to ease administration requirements and calling for further support for working parents. Jacqui is acutely aware of the difficulties faced by families and small businesses, and she believes that government should work to ease the burden wherever possible.
Jacqui has seen many changes in Canberra. In recent years, she has seen our unique Canberra lifestyle eroded under the Stanhope Government who just does not seem to be interested in the hurdles that they impose on families. Extra taxes and charges have seen household budgets under great stress, education facilities slashed, police resources strained, millions squandered on poor roads, and health services are a nightmare for many.
Jacqui believes we all deserve to live in a safe, tolerant and cohesive society. She sees the promotion of multiculturalism as an important part of achieving this.
That is why Jacqui wants to represent her community. She knows much hard work is needed to make Canberra a better place for all Canberrans to raise their kids, have a job and a home and have access to decent health care.
Jacqui is proud to be a Canberra local, born in Queanbeyan and living in Canberra for most of her life. She went to Campbell High, Dickson College and did her Commerce degree at the ANU. Jacqui is a Certified Practising Accountant and recently gained her MBA.
For more information, please visit Jacqui's website at www.jacquimyers.com.au
JOHN HARGREAVES MLA www.johnhargreaves.com.au
The ACT Minister for Multicultural Services, John Hargreaves MLA, has been a Member of the Legislative Assembly since 1998 and joined the Stanhope Ministry in October 2004.
John was born in Birmingham, UK in 1949, and moved to Australia aged three. He spent his first years in a migrant hostel on the outskirts of Sydney, an experience that has shaped his very strong views against children in detention centres.
John is married with two daughters and four grandchildren. Before his election, he served for 29 years in the departments of Health and Education, receiving the Long and Dedicated Service Award for public service in the ACT in 1994.
One of John’s goals is to enhance the quality of life for all Canberrans.
As Minister for Multicultural Affairs John has worked tirelessly to promote multiculturalism and achieve harmony and inclusion within the Canberra community. He has initiated extensive community consultation through the Ministerial Multicultural Forums which fed into the Multicultural Summits of 2005 and 2008. This consultation will in turn feed into the 2009-2012 Multicultural Strategy.
Minister Hargreaves is particularly proud of ‘Facing up to Racism: A Strategic Plan Addressing Racism and Unfair Discrimination 2004-2008’. This policy paper has been complemented by the ACT Government’s reporting through two Report Cards – one in 2006 and now in 2008. These highlight Minister Hargreaves’ determination to assist Canberrans to live a happier and harmonious life, minimising the incidences and effects of racism.
To assist people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds in gaining equal access to the workplace, Minister Hargreaves has overseen the Work Experience Support Program (WESP) which gives people an opportunity to improve skills and confidence – mainly within the ACT Public Service.
Other initiatives such as interpreting services and multicultural grants further demonstrate Minister Hargreaves’ commitment to ensuring the strengthening and maintaining of the multicultural community so that all Canberra residents, regardless of background, have equal access to support services and programs to enhance their quality of life.
As Minister for Multicultural Services, John and his wife Jenny have made many friendships and have shared in many events and celebrations with valued members of the multicultural community.
“It would be my pleasure to assist you and your family and to continue in my friendship with the multicultural community in order to build a better city and a stronger community for all. I would be honoured to have your support at the forthcoming election to continue to represent Canberrans such as yourself.”
JOY BURCH, Labor Candidate for Brindabella
Joy Burch is a former nurse with over 30 years' experience in the healthcare, childcare and education sectors.
She is one of six children and is married with three sons [aged 25, 23 and 15 years] and lives in Tuggeranong.
Joy's nursing and health management experience covers hospitals, community health, aged care services and family support services. As a TAFE teacher Joy trained childcare and aged care workers. Joy managed a successful childcare centre for five years. She understands the demands of running a business and the value of small business to our community. Joy is the CEO of a national organisation working to improve health outcomes through research and workforce training.
Joy's core commitments are for accessible and affordable local health care; access to all levels of education for all ages for all of our community; a safer and stronger community; a fair go for employees and support for business.
Joy is committed to the principles of inclusion and equity. She recognises the contribution made by the multicultural community and values the richness they bring to the ACT. Joy respects the right of all ethnic community groups to be represented in a manner they see as appropriate. She will be collaborative and consultative with the multicultural community, and will work to enhance and enrich the well-being of the multicultural community as part of the broader community.
Joy respects and encourages the right of all ethnic communities to practice and maintain their spiritual and cultural beliefs.
Joy will work to ensure that the multicultural community has access to services and participate in all activities in the community. She believes in employment and training programs that are responsive to the needs of migrants, particularly in the recognition of overseas qualifications and bridging program. This includes, increased support to migrant resource centres, providing adequate English language programs and adequate interpreter and translation services. Joy also will work to improve services for vulnerable young people, more housing for refugees and new arrivals, transitional housing for refuges; and improve participation through representation on Boards.
Joys promise to the multicultural community is this– 'I will simply and wholeheartedly do what ever I can for our multicultural community'.
This combination of experience and understanding makes Joy Burch your best choice for Brindabella. Please read more at www.joyburch.com
ELEANOR BATES – Labor Candidate for Molonglo
Born in Newcastle, I moved to Canberra in 1997 and made my home in Gungahlin three years ago. I am committed to working with local communities to improve services and infrastructure particularly in my local community of Gungahlin, which is experiencing rapid growth. Professionally, I have worked in the private sector and I am now in the Commonwealth Public Service where I have worked in both policy development and project management areas. Personally, I am active in a number of organisations in support of people going through treatment for breast cancer and am on the Board of Belconnen Community Service.
I am particularly proud to be a candidate for the Labor party with it’s commitment to multiculturalism and social justice. I believe that migrants should have all the support they require to fully participate in life in Australia while still being able to maintain their cultural identity, language and customs. It is also important that we encourage children to learn about their heritage and embrace both their family and Australian cultures. The Stanhope Government’s support for the ACT Ethnic Schools Association and the recent commitment to provide more funding to the ACT Community Language Grant Program assist migrants and their families to maintain their cultural identity.
Having an environment where all members of any ethnic group are able to participate fully in Australian society while maintaining their cultural identity is an important part of creating social harmony. The National Multicultural Festival is a wonderful way to share the diverse cultures that we have in Canberra and as we share our cultures and customs through song, dance and food we build community harmony and understanding. The Government and communities support for the festival is a strong indication of the level of support within our society for an ethnically diverse society.
The Labor Party’s commitment to social justice is well known. I am proud of the Government’s Facing Up to Racism Strategy and its commitment to removing all forms of discrimination from ACT legislation. This provides a level playing field for every member of the Canberra community. The Government’s commitment to establishing a register of people from the multicultural community who can serve on government boards and authorities also ensures that multicultural issues and concerns are considered at the very heart of the decision making process.
To hear more about ACT Labor’s Multicultural Policy, or any other Labor Policy, please visit our website at www.actlabor.org.au
Thank you for this opportunity to discuss these issues with you.
Eleanor
DAVE PEEBLES – Labor candidate for Ginninderra
Dave Peebles is one of Canberra’s top policy experts with qualifications in a number of fields, including a PhD and a Master of Education. He works as a training consultant and is involved with a number of community organisations, including Volunteering ACT, the Belconnen Community Council, the Eid Mela Society promoting understanding between different cultures and faiths, and the Belconnen Baptist Church. He is also a published author and was chosen as one of Australia’s ‘best and brightest minds’ for Kevin Rudd’s 2020 Summit. Dave has previously worked at the ACT Legislative Assembly, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Parliament House, and as a peace monitor in Papua New Guinea. Dave is married to Justine and has two children, Luke and Maddy.
Dave on the promotion of multiculturalism
“We are all very proud of the ACT’s vibrant cultural diversity. I believe Canberra leads the nation, and our diversity is a strength that should be encouraged and supported. If elected to the Legislative Assembly, I will be part of a Labor Government that has a strong commitment to Canberra’s culturally diverse communities.
“I have many friends from culturally diverse backgrounds, and one of the issues that led me into politics was my desire to see an end to racial discrimination. I am committed to working closely with Canberra’s culturally diverse communities, to develop policies that will help address the challenges they face. Together, we can address issues such as skills recognition, education, the environment, health, housing and the elimination of racism and discrimination.”
Dave on community harmony
“If elected, I am committed to working with all Canberrans to build a strong, tolerant community. There are many elements to this: the right legal framework, support for newly arrived migrants, employment opportunities, a commitment to community policing and so on. I am committed to working closely with Canberra’s culturally diverse communities to develop policy in all these areas.”
Dave on social justice
“Every Canberran has the right to live their lives free of prejudice and discrimination. I am dismayed that certain quarters still use issues of race, culture, religion, ethnicity and language as tools of division. ACT Labor has a strong record of fighting prejudice and, if elected, I pledge to do everything in my power to help eliminate discrimination in all its forms.”
You can find out more about Dave at www.davepeebles.com.au
STEVE PRATT MLA (Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs)
The Canberra Liberals have a goal to foster an equal, harmonious and fair Canberra society which is mutually respective of all facets of its multicultural nature and which upholds and celebrates the rich tapestry of this society. This celebration includes ensuring a full expression of the linguistic, cultural, historical and religious components that make up Canberra society. Above all our vision is that this mutual respect across all facets of Canberra society upholds the primary value that we are One Australia and within this country, One Canberra.
The Canberra Liberals understand that our valuable, culturally rich and diverse community is a fine example of a community that other Australian cities and communities ought to be emulating. In order to retain this richness it is important that harmony, equality and fairness prevail and yet this regrettably is not the case in the ACT. The ACT Government has frequently used the multicultural arena to push its ideological pet subjects and to venture into divisive international political issues. This has had the unfortunate consequence of dividing some elements in the multicultural community and fostering divisive debate between communities. The multicultural community must not be used as a political football but this has not stopped the Stanhope Government from exploiting the community in exactly that way.
Furthermore, we see plenty of room for improving the inclusion of our communities in the governance of multicultural affairs. Finally, we see plenty of room too for improvement in the administration and governance leadership of multicultural affairs, which if administered and led fairly, addresses many of the harmony and political issues mentioned above.
ANDREW BARR MLA
Andrew was elected to the Legislative Assembly via a count back in April 2006 and was elevated immediately into the Stanhope Government Cabinet as Minister for Education and Training, Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Industrial Relations. He became Minister for Planning in April 2007.
Andrew believes that all people are entitled to respect, dignity and the right to participate in society. He has a long record of support for multiculturalism and the humanitarian treatment of refugees. He believes in the right of all people to access quality education and is a strong supporter of the public education system.
Intercultural understanding and language education in Schools
Our schools have a multicultural population, with the student population in some drawing from over 70 nationalities. This unique situation carries with it the responsibility for the ACT to lead the nation by example in respect of intercultural understanding and language education.
As Minister for Education, Andrew has committed that every public school in the ACT will teach a language and has provided additional funding to support this. Andrew will also work with embassies to strengthen links with our schools and provide more support for the ACT Ethnic Schools Association.
This renewed focus on languages will help strengthen the teaching of intercultural understanding. The new ACT curriculum framework includes essential learning about intercultural understanding. The curriculum framework supports current research that culture and language are interdependent, and that studying other cultures and their languages enhances intercultural understanding.
The core content about intercultural understanding in the new curriculum framework has three focus areas.
The first is about understanding how individual and group identity is shaped by culture and that this happens in all cultures.
The second is about developing the mental preparation needed for meaningful intercultural communication. Such mental preparation involves both knowledge about the culture and the disposition to engage with it.
The third focus is on understanding intercultural communication itself, in which at least some participants are operating in their second or subsequent language. Students will learn about language and language variants and how speakers using a second or third language are influenced in some ways by their first language.
Finally, Andrew believes that the best welcome a country can give any new arrival is the opportunity for a world-class education, and with the finest education system in Australia, there is no better place for students than Canberra.
JACKIE BURKE MLA - Canberra Liberals
Jacqui Burke was elected to the ACT Assembly in February 2003. As a Member for Molonglo, she takes her duties representing the people of Molonglo very seriously. She assists constituents with complaints about government services. Jacqui ran a successful campaign to publicize the eviction of the caretakers of the old historic sewage inspector’s cottage at Weston and stopped the planned bull-dozing of the cottage. Jacqui is the Opposition spokesperson on health, housing and disability services. She set up a health feedback hotline to assist Canberrans with complaints about the public health system and she helps people with public housing problems.
I myself am an immigrant to this country and know the importance of getting a fair go. The objective of the Canberra Liberals is to foster an equal, harmonious and fair Canberra society which upholds and celebrates the rich tapestry of our multicultural society. This celebration includes ensuring a full expression of the linguistic, cultural, historical and religious components that make up Canberra society. Above all, our vision is that this mutual respect across all facets of Canberra society upholds the primary value that we are One Australia and One Canberra.
The Canberra Liberals understand that our valuable, culturally rich and diverse community is a fine example of a community that other Australian cities and communities ought to be emulating. In order to retain this richness, it is important that harmony, equality and fairness prevail and yet this regrettably is not the case in the ACT. The ACT Government has frequently used the multicultural arena to push its ideological pet subjects and to venture into divisive international political issues. This has had the unfortunate consequence of dividing some elements in the multicultural community and fostering divisive debate between communities. The multicultural community must not be used as a political football but this has not stopped the Stanhope Government from exploiting the community in exactly that way.
PHIL THOMPSON - Pangallo Independent Candidate for Molonglo
I am standing as a Pangallo Independents candidate for the Molonglo electorate.
I was born in Melbourne and educated at De La Salle College, Malvern Victoria
I am a lawyer but my first job was in the Commonwealth Public Service in Melbourne.
I came to Canberra in 1966 after working for three years Tasmania, firstly in the Commonwealth Bank, and then in private industry.
I retired from full time employment after working for forty years in the ACT court system, including the last six years as a special magistrate and coroner.
I am married with six adult children.
The promotion of multiculturalism, community harmony, and delivering social justice
Whilst I don’t have their rich history, along with my fellow running mates, Frank Pangallo and Luciano Lombardo, I support, multiculturalism being promoted in the ACT
Frank Pangallo served on the NSW Local Government Multicultural Committee and is a past member of the Migrant Resource Centre and also part time on the Ethnic Affairs Commission
Luciano Lombardo is a former secretary and chairman of the Italo-Australian Club and a former treasurer of Villaggio-Italiano Ltd, an aged care and retirement village in Page.
Dr Lombardo is also the founding president of ARIA Canberra which promotes scientific collaboration between Italy and Australia
The Pangallo Independents see climate change and environmental issues as being the greatest threat to our current way of life
Other issues which we will promote and have policies for implementation include:
- a water wise program and a total waste management program
-revitalizing town and city centres, such as Civic, & Dickson and the smaller suburban shopping centre; and
-ensuring that all Canberra homes are equipped to reduce carbon emissions
We are also well aware of the effect that the lack of community services has had on the ACT community generally and thus support organizations such as yours, which seek to foster community spirit and community relationship community facilities
We will also address social justice issues including youth homelessness, failing health services and the lack of suitable services for those suffering from mental illness.
We will also provide more funding for students with a disability targeted to meet the specific needs of the individual student.
Finally if elected we will ensure that affordable house and land packages are available to first home buyers.
MARY PORTER MLA
Mary Porter was elected to the Assembly in October 2004 and comes to this election with a proven track record of undertaking more constituency matters that the Opposition combined. This work is on the back of conducting almost 300 Mobile Offices, at local shopping centres around the electorate, and a proactive attitude and work ethic.
Mary has undertaken hundreds more constituency matters that the entire opposition combined.
Mary Chairs the Standing Committee on Education, is Deputy Chair of the Health and Disability Committee and also the Planning and the Environment Committee.
Through these committees, and her electorate work, Mary has been able to continue to make a difference for young people, those living with mental illness and the aged. She has also continued to focus her attention on supporting volunteer effort and those who live with a disability, and their carers.
After extensive research and consultation, Mary has recently tabled a discussion paper into retirement villages and is also consulting with stakeholders regarding accommodation options for people with disabilities, as their carer’s age.
Mary has initiated a number of inquiries including the Application of Restorative Justice in Youth Settings, the possible lowering of the voting age, and into Appropriate Accommodation for People Living with a Mental Illness, resulting in positive recommendations and outcomes.
Mary believes her life experiences and her many years as a nursing sister in remote NT communities and a leader in community services in the ACT, have given her a valuable understanding of her community and how to work with others to achieve positive change.
In 2003 Mary was awarded an AM in the Order of Australia and a Centenary Medal for her services to the community. Additionally she was nominated as the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the ACT Social Category.
History
Mary is a nursing sister by profession and before coming to Canberra in 1977 spent 12 years working as a volunteer health worker in remote indigenous communities in Arnhem Land.
Since coming to Canberra, Mary has been actively involved in our community and has help to start many community organisations such as Communities @ Work and Volunteering ACT as well as serving on many boards including ACTCOSS of which she was President for many years.
JON STANHOPE MLA, Chief Minister
Jon Stanhope is the Chief Minister and ACT Labor leader. He was first elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1998 and became Chief Minister in 2001.
Jon was born in Gundagai in 1951. He was one of nine children of schoolteacher parents. He came to Canberra to undertake studies at the Australian National University where he met his wife, Robyn a palliative care nurse and counsellor. They raised their four children in Belconnen and are proud to be the grandparents of five.
While Canberra’s community is made up of people from a range of places across the world, each with different customs, cultures, languages and experiences, our ability to embrace our differences is the strength of our multicultural community.
Labor has, and always will, support Canberra’s multicultural community. In 2005, we opened the Theo Notaras Multicultural Centre to provide a home for the many multicultural groups that foster the vibrancy of our great city.
We have also continued to provide support to the multicultural community through the Radio Grants Program, the Community Languages Grants Program and the Multicultural Grants Program.
Labor has helped more migrants into jobs through the Work Experience and Support Program.
My Government has continued to support those members of the multicultural community in need through increased support for refugees and asylum seekers. We have provided free hospital services, English language classes, childcare, short-term housing and transport concessions.
And we will continue to provide our support and commitment to the multicultural community. We will develop a new Multicultural Strategy for 2009-2012 to deliver better services and programs for the community.
We will provide more support for community language schools to help our multicultural groups retain their cultural identity, language and heritage.
Our support for Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services and Transitional Housing for migrants will be boosted so that our migrants are better able to settle into our community and feel at home in Canberra.
I believe that the continued success of the National Multicultural Festival is one of the reasons why Canberra flourishes as the great multicultural city that it is.. bring a bigger and better festival to our street each year. Labor is committed to continuing to support our Multicultural Festival so that it becomes one of the greatest festivals in the country.
MIKE HETTINGER (Labor Candidate)
www.MikeHettinger.com
Labor candidate for Molonglo, Mike Hettinger, has no doubt that a healthy and happy society is founded on a respect for the contributions of different cultures to a community. After all, Mike’s life experiences have given him great respect for the values of multiculturalism, community harmony, and social justice.
One of the reasons Mike has made his home in Canberra is because of the way different active multicultural groups work harmoniously together to contribute to the community.
"Canberra shines as an example of how people with many different cultural backgrounds can live together harmoniously and positively, and each adding powerfully to the fabric making up that community," Mike says.
Mike migrated to Australia from the US just over 16 years ago. He spent his childhood living in various parts of the US and Europe, and during his time with the US Air Force's space program he was posted as a Deputy Commander to a station in Seychelles, off the east coast of Africa. This experience with, and interest in different cultures led Mike to undertaking a Masters Degree in International Relations at the Australian National University.
Mike is a member of the Executive Committee of the ACT Division of the United Nations Association of Australia and promotes international peace and harmony. He believes in the value of learning languages and understands these skills should be nurtured so people can have a greater understanding of other cultures around them. Mike is also a passionate and outspoken believer in human rights and social justice and is a member of Amnesty International.
With your vote and support to be your Member for Molonglo, Mike will work closely with different cultural groups to further promote harmony, and increase the contributions different communities make to our wonderful city of Canberra.
Party Multicultural Policies
ALP - click here
Canberra Liberals - click here