Australia: Queensland gets it right on multiculturalism

One regional, favourable view of multiculturalism:

Most migrants and refugees to Queensland still settle in the capital city, Brisbane.

Brisbane has the highest proportion of overseas-born residents 28.3 percent, ABS census 2011, followed by the Gold Coast 27.9 per cent and Logan 26.1 per cent.

Brisbane attracts more Indians and Chinese, the Gold Coast more Japanese, while Logan attracts more Samoans. Many are international students.

Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Cr Graham Quirk said Brisbane now holds a “Refugee Welcome Day”, acknowledging that more than 2000 refugees settled in Brisbane last year and would build a new Multicultural Performing Arts Centre in Sunnybank in 2015.

“The Multicultural Performing Arts Centre will include a theatre with a capacity for 300 people, rehearsal and studio spaces for community groups, a stand-alone kitchen and canteen as well as dining and entertainment facilities,” Cr Quirk said.“

Council has invested $3.9 million in 2014-15 for this combined facility which we will build with the Sunnybank Community Sports Club,” he said.“

And it will benefit the entire southside community once it is complete.”

Queensland gets it right on multiculturalism.