Radio Italiana
The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:21): It is a great honour to rise today in parliament to congratulate Radio Italiana 531AM for its 45 years of outstanding service to our South Australian community.
Coronavirus
The Hon. J.S. LEE ( 15:29 ): Today I rise to speak about the coronavirus and the terrible impact it is having on the Asian-Australian community in South Australia. Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, it has had a devastating impact in China as well as in 29 other countries, including Australia.
Coronavirus is not just a health issue alone but a social harmony issue, as well as an economic issue for Australia. Restaurants, shopping precincts and Chinatown precincts run by Chinese-Australians across our country are reporting significant drops in trade and traffic in recent weeks.
Multiculturalism
Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. F. Pangallo:
That this council—
1. Recognises that our identity as South Australian is made up of the threads of many stories woven into one intricate tapestry made richer and more vibrant by the contributions of our First Peoples and the migrants who choose to make Australia home;
2. Repudiates racism in all its forms and any retreat from a policy of multiculturalism; and
3. Gives its unambiguous and unqualified commitment to the principle that whatever criteria are applied by Australian governments in exercising their sovereign right to determine the composition of the immigration intake, race, faith or ethnic origin shall never, explicitly or implicitly, be among them.
Kurds in Syria
Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. I. Pnevmatikos:
That this council—
1. Condemns the military operation Peace Spring launched on 9 October 2019 by the President of Turkey, President Erdogan, and the Turkish military against the Kurdish people and calls on them to immediately cease their invasion and all military operations in Syria targeting the Kurdish population;
2. Notes the sacrifice of the Kurdish people in assisting Australia and its allies to defeat ISIS and calls on the international community to immediately send humanitarian assistance to the Kurdish population targeted by the Turkish military and their allies; and
3. Expresses its deepest sympathies to the South Australian Kurdish community on the senseless loss of innocent lives at the hands of the Turkish military.
Women in Politics
The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:33): I rise today to speak about women in politics. This year marks the 125th anniversary of women's suffrage, and it is a special milestone to pay tribute to trailblazers such as Mary Lee, Catherine Helen Spence and many others for their strength and enduring campaign to allow the passage of the bill that changed the history of the world forever in 1894.
This historic piece of legislation granted women in South Australia the right to vote and the right to stand as members of parliament. I take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister for Human Services, the Hon. Michelle Lensink, for her outstanding leadership in chairing the Joint Committee on the 125th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage, and acknowledge other members on the committee for their wonderful contribution.
Ethnic Broadcasters Incorporation
The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:40): I rise today to speak about the Ethnic Broadcasters Incorporation, better known as 5EBI—the multicultural radio station for Adelaide and South Australia. 5EBI was established at the beginning of 1975 and South Australia has the proud legacy of being the first state to have ethnic broadcasting. For many migrants, refugees, temporary workers and international students, ethnic media is a critical source of information about what is happening in South Australian society.
Archbishop Makarios
Adjourned debate on motion of Hon. I. Pnevmatikos:
That this council—
1. Congratulates and welcomes His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia on his inaugural visit to South Australia.
2. Congratulates all the parishioners and volunteers of the Greek communities of South Australia and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of South Australia on all their endeavours and preparations to welcome His Eminence to our beautiful state.
3. Thanks His Eminence Archbishop Makarios for his efforts to meet and engage with as many South Australians as he could on his inaugural visit.
Graham F. Smith Peace Foundation
The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:24): It is a great honour to rise today and speak about the Graham F. Smith Peace Foundation 2019 Peace Rules showcase and the Sri Chinmoy Oneness-Home Peace Run Torch-Bearer Award presentation. The Graham F. Smith Peace Foundation was established in 1989 as the Graham F. Smith Peace Trust in memory of the legacy of Graham Smith, who was a lifelong educator and peace activist. I would like to pay tribute to the founder, the wonderful Leonie Ebert, who established the peace foundation in honour of her late husband, Graham Smith, and congratulate the foundation for celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Hindu Organisations, Temples and Associations Forum
The Hon. J.S. LEE (16:07): I move:
That this council—
1. Congratulates the Vishva Hindu Parishad of Australia for hosting the Hindu Organisations, Temples and Associations Forum of South Australia (HOTA SA) and Raksha Bandhan festival in 2019.
2. Acknowledges the outstanding contributions of individuals and pays tribute to award recipients in five different categories:
(a) HOTA Volunteer Award;
(b) Youth Award;
(c) Entrepreneur Award;
(d) Woman of Substance Award;
(e) Senior Citizen Award.
3. Commends the Hindu Organisations, Temples and Associations Forum for establishing the Hindu Helpline for Australia.
4. Recognises the achievements and contributions of the Hindu communities in South Australia—socially, culturally and economically.
Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia
The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:27): It is a great honour to rise today to speak about the Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia, which is affectionately known as MCCSA. This year, MCCSA is celebrating its milestone 45th anniversary. The Governor of South Australia, His Excellency the Hon. Hieu Van Le, generously hosted a reception at Government House last night to mark this special occasion. It was a great privilege to represent the Premier at the reception and I was glad to see the Hon. Emily Bourke there as well. What a wonderful occasion to recognise the great work of MCCSA and pay tribute to the board, staff, volunteers and supporters of MCCSA.