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Subject: Sociology »

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At the crossroads... Social Justice

Nick Bolkus.

Senator Nick Bolkus, speaks on society and being respected in their diversity and underpinning the aspect of social justice policies.

Created:

1995

Date Added:

19 July 2002

Source:

Interview for Making Multicultural Australia, 1995.

Format:

mov (Quicktime);

File size:

--

Length:

26 secs

Transcript

SENATOR NICK BOLKUS
Senator since 1980, Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Multicultural Affairs, 1993-96

People need to feel as if they have a role in our society and are respected in their diversity. At the same time, you can’t really have that respect of diversity at the top unless you have the underpinning aspect of social justice policies. The reality is, I think, societies fall apart from the inside if there is economic inequality, if people don’t feel as if they are included.

So the inclusive nature of multiculturalism, the inclusive aspect of a social justice underpinning for multicultural Australia, is also quite critical.

CONTINUATION OF INTERVIEW AS TEXT

Multiculturalism, I think, already means the nation, the country we had some 20 or 30 years ago, has changed in shape, changed in appearance, because of - not just the infusion of migration - but because of the way we’ve allowed people to maintain cultural links and traditions. So, it’s the development of a new definition of Australia, a new image, a new way we see ourselves, and the world sees us. But also, underpinning it is a very strong commitment to an inclusive society.

Interview for Making Multicultural Australia, 1995.