October 2018

18
AUSTRALIAN
Victorian, Together: VMC Launches
Ambassadors For
Multiculturalism Program
LABOR
ANNOUNCES
250 EXTRA
SECURITY
STAFF
FOR NSW
HOSPITALS
NSW Labor Leader Luke Foley has
committed to an additional 250
security staff as part of Labor’s
four-point plan to boost security at
NSW hospitals to protect staff, patients and
families.
Mr Foley was joined by Health Services Union
Secretary Gerard Hayes whose long-running
campaign for greater security in hospitals has
been met with silence from the Berejiklian
Government.
HSU members working at hospitals across the
state have been subject to numerous attacks.
The announcement comes as the latest
official figures reveal that in the last 12
months there have been 6 assaults on staff,
patients and families at Auburn Hospital.
Five high profile
Victorians, including
a high-profile actress,
renowned chef and media
personality, and an AFL premiership
star, have combined to launch a new
campaign celebrating the State’s
cultural diversity and directly
challenging divisive attitudes
towards multiculturalism.
The Victorian Multicultural
Commission’s (VMC) campaign –
Ambassadors for Multiculturalism
– differs from many that have
preceded it by engaging a broad
spectrum of personalities, including
Anglo-Australians, to share their
stories.
The five ambassadors will promote
their multicultural experience
by sharing their personal stories
- reflecting on the strength of
cultural diversity in their lives and
experiences - and its powerful
force in shaping a more inclusive
community.
The panel of ambassadors
comprises:
• Actress, Olympia Valance
• Victorian chef, restaurateur and
media personality, Karen Martini
• AFLW star and league-leading
goalkicker, Darcy Vescio
• AFL premiership star, Jack
Riewoldt
• Successful corporate personality
and NBL chairperson, Larry
Kestelman
The program has been developed in
a bid to combat divisive narratives
around multicultural affairs that
are challenging the state’s social
cohesion and shared values.
VMC Chairperson, Helen Kapalos,
is hopeful that by adding a range
of diverse voices and experiences
to the current discussion, the
ambassadors will encourage others
to share their stories and add to
the rich social fabric that binds us
together as Victorians.
“Victoria is well known for its
successful and visible brand of
multiculturalism, which takes the
collective goodwill and efforts of
many”.
“We see the role of our ambassadors
as continuing to build a stronger,
more resilient and more cohesive
society at a time when we need to
be reminded of the great gifts our
unique diverse society brings”.
Through the course of the program,
each of the ambassadors will engage
with communities across the state,
sharing their multicultural stories
and how Victoria’s diversity has
positively impacted their lives.
Ambassador, Olympia Valance says,
“Melbourne has always been home
to me, but such a huge part of that
comes down to feeling welcome and
being part of an inclusive, loving
community.
“It is crucial that we as Australians,
and more specifically Victorians,
prioritise keeping our state an open
and friendly space for everyone.
Regardless of where we come from,
everyone has the right to feel that
they belong.”
For more information about
the Victorian Multicultural
Commission and this program,
please visit
www.multicultural.vic.gov.au.
Labor’s four-point plan includes:
• Employing an additional 250 Health Security
Staff in its first term;
• Upgrading all hospital security officers
to “Health Security Staff” with additional
powers similar to Special Constables who
can carry weapons such as pepper spray and
batons;
• Providing extra training for Health Security
Staff, including skills to defuse hostile
situations; and
• Creating a specialist Secure Hospitals Unit
within NSW Health to oversee the activity
of new health security staff and conduct
safety audits of the State’s more than 200
hospitals - especially the State’s more than
80 emergency departments.
Over the last five years, assaults have
increased by 33 per cent to around 50 every
month, in part due to the prevalence of
ice, drugs and alcohol in the community,
as well as the Liberal Government’s failure
to properly support patients grappling with
mental illness.
Currently, hospital security officers report of
regular understaffing and often no security is
present at any given time in emergency wards
or entire hospitals.
Labor believes that health workers and
patients deserve safe hospitals and work
places.
Labor will be announcing further information
on security staff closer to the March 2019
election.
Long THAI
DATE OF BIRTH: 16 December
1995
HEIGHT: 165cm
BUILD: Medium
EYES: Brown
HAIR: Black
COMPLEXION: Fair
Long THAI failed to appear at the
Broadmedows Magistrates’ Court
on Wednesday 12 September 2018
for allegedly cultivating cannabis.
Three warrants have been issued
for the arrest of the 22-year-old.
THAI is known to frequent
the Footscray, Sunshine and
Greenvale areas.
(Reference number: WTD1537)
الوسط ¿ 94 صفَ‏ ر 1440 ه ¿ تشرين األول AL WASAT 94 ¿ Safar 1440 ¿ October 2018