1. That in the Australian Capital Territory, 27.6% of the population were born overseas and 22% of the ACT population speaks a language other than English at home.
2. That there are specific needs and priorities of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse community (CALD) which may differ from those of other communities.
3. That members of CALD communities in the ACT often face challenges which affect their ability to enter fully into ACT society.
4. That the ACT Government has taken a lead role in supporting CALD communities through the Multiculturalism Act 2023 which provides a Charter for Multiculturalism, emphasising diversity, inclusion and belonging.
5. That the ACT Government leads Australia in supporting and funding a wide range of organisations and community initiatives such as Multicultural Hub Canberra and Northside Youth Services which offer practical support for young people from CALD communities.
6. That because of the cultural and linguistic barriers that are attempting to be addressed, awareness of these initiatives is very limited in CALD communities.
7. That generally, for historical reasons, the broad membership of the ALP has little contact or identification with CALD communities and this lack of communication could contribute to negative results for the party, such as the loss of the Federal seat of Fowler at the last elections, and the divisive strategies of the Dutton-led Coalition and the right-wing media in targeting seats with large CALD populations.
Therefore, this conference reaffirms its support for its policies of multiculturalism, emphasising diversity, inclusion and belonging, and commits to consultation with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, and undertakes to provide education and publicity within the party membership so that all members are aware of CALD communities and their priorities.