Minister Announces Diversity Australia Website

Gary Hardgrave MP

Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Australia

Media Release H57/2002 - 21 June 2002

Minister Announces Diversity Australia Website

The Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Gary Hardgrave, today launched the Diversity Australia Website aimed at informing Australia and the rest of the world about Australian multiculturalism and its benefits for Australia.

Mr Hardgrave said the website would help prospective migrants, among others, understand that living and working in such a culturally and linguistically diverse country had advantages beyond what most other countries could offer.

Another major objective for the website is to inform the international business community about the great opportunities open to them in Australia.

"The message is simple," said Mr Hardgrave. "In the global economy Australia's multicultural workforce is yielding economic dividends to businesses that manage diversity effectively."

Research on diversity management shows companies can improve business competitiveness by using their employees' knowledge of business networks and experience in overseas business practices, as well as their linguistic and cultural skills.

Mr Hardgrave said the Diversity Australia Website would become an integral tool in the development of such business practices.

The Minister was speaking at the official opening of the new Sydney CBD offices of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

"The new Diversity Website will play a major role in our drive to project Australian multiculturalism overseas.

"It has been designed as a gateway for the general Australian community and people in other countries to learn about the social, cultural and economic benefits of multiculturalism," Mr Hardgrave said.

The Minister said he also envisaged that the website will be used as a tool to facilitate international networking. Operating in the international arena means businesses face different ideologies, languages, institutions, customs, beliefs, social systems and business practices.

At the opening ceremony Mr Hardgrave also welcomed four Living In Harmony non-Corporate partners who will help promote Harmony Day across Australia next year. The new partners are Surf Life Saving Australia, Guides NSW and Scouts Australia, and Rotary District 9750.

The new DIMIA offices provide for a single-locality opportunity for handling immigration, citizenship and other department matters. Previously there were two different premises located at the Rocks and in Pitt Street.

Mr Hardgrave also conducted a citizenship ceremony for 11 people in a new Citizenship Centre in DIMIA's new offices.

21 June 2002

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