Multicultural Australia LUMINOUS Lantern Parade 2024

Minister for Child Safety, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Honourable Charis Mullen MP; Leader of the Opposition, Mr David Crisafulli MP; representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor for Central Ward, Councillor Vicki Howard; Members of Parliament and The Senate; Councillors; Multicultural Australia Chair Ms Mellisa Naidoo and CEO Ms Christine Castley; Festival Partners; distinguished guests; Ladies and Gentlemen.

I first wish to acknowledge the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here today.

And I thank Nunukul Yuggera for their magnificent Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony.

It conveys in a way that mere words cannot the deep meaning behind this incredible event, which began as a candlelight march in support of refugees and asylum seekers in 2007 but has grown immensely — in both its scope and significance.

In fact, the LUMINOUS Festival has become Queensland’s largest multicultural event, providing opportunities for people from a huge array of cultural and backgrounds — and speaking many first languages other than English — to come together, exchange ideas, share their experiences and learn more about what they share in common.

This intermingling of culture and tradition, be it through food, dance or performing arts, also creates opportunities for the broader community to make meaningful connections with Queenslanders from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Thanks to the efforts of Multicultural Australia – of which I am proud Patron – we are treated to an entire month to immerse ourselves in the stories, traditions, and talents of our culturally diverse communities.

The purpose of this festival resonates deeply with me, as Governor of a state whose communities often feel isolated from each other, either by sheer distance or by a lack of opportunities to see life in Queensland from a different perspective.

As I travel around the State, I see the immense positive impact immigration and multiculturalism has made in even the most remote communities. This can come in the form of a foreign-trained doctor working in a regional hospital; or a small business owner who arrived as a refugee and embraced the opportunity to start afresh in a safe and prosperous new home country; or a carer who knows that we desperately need more people willing to work in the aged care sector and answers that call.

Quite simply, we now live in a world where the only way forward is to embrace people of all nations, all faiths, all languages, and all backgrounds — if, and when, they seek to become a part our community. How we welcome and integrate these people tells us everything we need to know about our chances of success as a state and a nation.

Thankfully, we have a passionate advocate of integration in the form of Multicultural Australia leading the way, voicing the benefits of diversity and advocating for those who feel excluded from our society.

For this, I thank them and all those who support them in the form of donations, partnerships or even physical help in the form of volunteering at events such as this.

I wish you a successful and fulfilling festival, and I look forward to supporting you — as Governor and your Patron — into the future.