The Victorian Premier’s Iftar Dinner was a symbol of multiculturalism at its finest, with representatives from all faiths in attendance. I had the privilege of being seated beside Minister Melissa Horne along with a senior Jewish rabbi and Imam Shykh Mohammad Ramzan, amongst many others.
This is the seventh year the dinner is being held, though last year it was organised in COVID-19 fashion as an online event.
In the speeches by the Acting Premier James Merlino and Victoria’s Multicultural Affairs Minister Ros Spence, reference was made to the importance of diversity and difference and how these ideals are important in making our state such a vibrant and welcoming place. Mr Merlino also noted how much he enjoyed his work as the state’s Education Minister by visiting schools and seeing so many smiling faces at school assembly all from so many different parts of the world.
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ACT Multicultural Awards 2021: Recognise Your Multicultural Champions
Nominations for the 2021 ACT Multicultural Awards open today, Canberrans are encouraged to consider nominating individuals and organisations who they believe make an outstanding contribution to making Canberra a thriving, welcoming and inclusive multicultural city.
The categories include:
Individual Champion – acknowledging outstanding efforts that have contributed to making Canberra a more welcoming community.
Community Organisation Champion – for social enterprises, businesses, public sector and educational services that have benefited the ACT multicultural community and contributed to strengthening social cohesion and participation.
Outstanding Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion – recognising an individual or organisation in the community sector for their dedication to enhancing cultural diversity and promoting inclusion.
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More support for Australian tourism and hospitality sector
The Morrison Government is increasing support for Australia’s tourism and hospitality sector by providing more visa flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
The Government will remove existing work hour caps for Student Visa holders employed in the tourism and hospitality sector. A 40 hour fortnightly limit previously applied during study periods.
In addition, temporary visa holders will be able to access the 408 COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa for a period of 12 months if they work in the tourism and hospitality sector. This decision adds tourism and hospitality to the critical sectors of agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care and child care for eligibility for this visa subclass.
The Morrison Government is increasing support for Australia’s tourism and hospitality sector by providing more visa flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
The Government will remove existing work hour caps for Student Visa holders employed in the tourism and hospitality sector. A 40 hour fortnightly limit previously applied during study periods.
In addition, temporary visa holders will be able to access the 408 COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa for a period of 12 months if they work in the tourism and hospitality sector. This decision adds tourism and hospitality to the critical sectors of agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care and child care for eligibility for this visa subclass.
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This year s federal budget will be the second one to be overshadowed by the coronavirus pandemic, but this time it won t just be the health threat of the virus that will have an impact.
On top of that, the nation s vaccination rollout, hit by logistical delays, supply issues and concerns over vaccine hesitancy, is posing some potential fiscal problems for Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
While Australia s overall economic recovery is strong, there are some sectors desperately relying on the vaccine for their survival.
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