Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Lundy, I move:

That the Senate notes that:

(a)   Harmony Day is celebrated throughout Australia on 21 March and is a significant day for Australians to celebrate the rich and vibrant cultural diversity of Australia;

(b)   this day is also the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination;

(c)   Harmony Day is about community participation, inclusiveness and respect – it is a day to reflect on our success as a multicultural nation, our strong social cohesion and the benefits of cultural diversity;

(d)   the central message for Harmony Day is that everyone belongs, reinforcing the importance of inclusiveness to all Australians;

(e)   in 2013, the theme for Harmony Day is ‘Many Stories – One Australia’;

(f)   since Harmony Day began in 1999, 50 000 events have been celebrated across Australia and in 2013 over 2 000 events have been registered;

(g)   orange is the colour of Harmony Day and everyone is encouraged to wear something orange to show their support for multiculturalism and an inclusive Australia.

Question agreed to.