MELBOURNE, 7 June 2023: Leader of opposition, John Pesutto MP , Leader of the Nationals, Peter Walsh MP, Georgie Crozier, David Southwick and Trung Luu today uniquely met Victoria’s ‘multicultural leaders’, in their first interaction with them after the last state elections setback.
The next state election is three and half years away with Premier Daniel Andrews firmly in the saddle, in his third term, the coalition wooing multicultural communities seemed surprising.
The thirty or so odd people, assembled in the historical Legislative Council Chamber, consisted of the coalition leadership, a few multicultural media persons, faith leaders, and community leaders. They were today assured , ” we want to work together with the multicultural communities.”
After everyone introducing themselves, various speakers raised issues that included problems of international students, need for inter-cultural traditions as a common thread, need for an engagement mechanism, and concern over lack of interest in politics in one of the fastest growing communities in Victoria. The points were noted and action assured.
The issues making headlines relating to the expelled Liberal Moira Deeming and the upcoming Warrandyte election did not find any mention in the engagement or discussion with ‘multicultural leaders’ today.
The beautifully decorated interior of the Chamber structure normally sees heated debates between the rulers and the opposition. Today was an exception as things were spoken and heard calmly. One hopes the issues trickled down well.
