Multicultural Affairs Minister Grace Grace has announced the members of the first Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council.

Ms Grace said the new 11-person council had been selected following an open and transparent recruitment and selection process, and had been chosen to represent the interests of Queenslanders from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

“The members of the new advisory council will provide advice to the government on the needs and aspirations of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds,” she said.

“We need to ensure our services and programs are responsive to these needs, and that’s what the council will do.

“The council will also play a significant role in giving Queenslanders from multicultural communities a voice in the development of policies that affect them and help shape Queensland’s multicultural future.

“I look forward to calling on the expertise of the council members as we work together to promote the Multicultural Queensland Charter to support a unified, harmonious and inclusive community.”

The new members of the Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council are:

• Mr Elijah Buol
• Mr Ali Kadri
• Mr Ataus Samad
• Mr Jason Steinberg
• Mr Serge Voloschenko, OAM
• Dr Nora Amath
• Ms Kerrin Benson
• Ms Jayde Geia
• Ms Joon-Yee Kwok
• Ms Tracy Watson, and
• Ms Gitie House.

Ms Grace said the new members brought a wealth of varied experiences to the council, with employment backgrounds including community services, business, academia, the arts and law.

“The new members come from a range of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds including South Sudanese, Muslim, Indian, Bangladeshi, Jewish, Russian, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, Chinese and New Zealand Maori,” she said.

“I’m also proud the council exceeds the target of 50 percent representation from women on Queensland Government boards and councils.

“It also has regional representation with members from Rockhampton and Toowoomba.”

The advisory council is a key initiative in the Multicultural Recognition Act 2016 which commenced on 1 July to ensure greater support for the state’s multicultural communities.

For more information visit www.communities.qld.gov.au/multicultural