Daniel Mulino (Fraser, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The arts community in Melbourne's west is synonymous with the diversity and vibrancy of our multicultural nation. With their strong links between creativity, social justice and inclusion, the arts community are trailblazers. There's Footscray Community Arts, the only mainstream arts organisation nationally to register as an NDIS provider, as it strives to make art accessible to people with a disability. Even its home, a beautiful 1870s bluestone building, tells a story about community activism. A former piggery, it was saved from demolition in the 1970s after a campaign involving unionists, artists, historians and politicians. Then there's 100 Story Building, a social enterprise that works with the community's most marginalised students and young people to help their creativity and build their literacy stills. It builds their confidence and sense of belonging in storytelling, and these skills are critical to their future educational success.

Of course, these are just two of our arts pioneers. Whenever I attend a festival within Fraser—and there are many—it is artists who take centre stage. As Tony Burke noted, the arts isn't simply about entertainment and leisure; the arts affects our education policy, health policy, trade and much more. An Albanese government will restore cultural policy to its rightful place and end the culture wars.