Early this month, three communities in Sydney of Laotian, Cambodian and Khmer Krom backgrounds embarked on a historic Joint Initiative to combat against foreign influences at community level.
Despite the pandemic, the event was successfully hosted by the Lao community. The event was attended by about 200 members from different communities – including Burmese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Lao and Khmer Krom.
Prominent local federal parliamentarians, including Chris Bowen, Anne Stanley, Senator Kristina Keneally, and a member of the New South Wales legistature, Anoulack Chanthivong, participated and spoke at the launch.
Reminded of the evidence I presented to the federal Parliament last September about foreign interference in Australia, the launch of this Joint Initiative was an attempt to bring people together to promote respect, tolerance and inclusion.
Many of those participating in the launch had experienced first-hand that these values that are the fabrics of Australian society were not encouraged and promoted in their former homelands.
While the issue of foreign interference in Australia among the Cambodian community has been in national media spotlight and other media outlets, for members of the Lao community, less is known or written of their concerns.
Hence the launch of this joint initiative offered a platform for members of the Lao community to promote not only their voice but also the work they do to promote Australia’s multicultural values.
Signing of the MoE
The launch of this Joint Initiative culminated in a series of engagements by the three communities, including the signing of a memorandum of engagement (MoE) in January.
The MoE spells out the intention “to build stronger social cohesion [among] the three communities and the wider Australian community, to promote Australia’s Multicultural Statement launched by the federal government in 2017 and to address recommendations made by the Senate Report in 2021 relating to ‘Issues Affecting Diaspora Communities in Australia.'”
Other politicians who overwhelmingly endorsed the MoE including the shadow minister for climate change and energy Chris Bowen and the deputy leader of the opposition in the Senate, Kristina Keneally.
Renewing our pledge to Australia
The highlight of the launch of the joint initiative was the participation by parliamentarians in a Q&A session aimed at getting to know their local politicians.
Referring to his parliamentary efforts in bringing human rights issues to the forefront for those living under oppressive regimes, Bowen acknowledged the disappointments as those efforts rewarded with no real progress.
Bowen was optimistic that “one day” he could visit some countries, including Cambodia and Laos. But at the moment under the current regimes, Bowen felt, “I don’t think I’ll be welcomed.”
Anne Stanley noted the Covid-19 pandemic has only strengthen Australia’s multicultural values. Volunteers of all backgrounds came together and helped one another.
Absences of federal ministers
Some state and federal ministers of the Liberal government were invited to join in the launch but all sent apologies, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
The federal government’s approach to ignoring local communities impacted by foreign interference stands in contrast to the claim that Australia is tough on implementing foreign interference schemes.
Undeterred by the lack of support from the federal government, the three communities have taken further initiative to promote future engagements with other communities.
Sawathey Ek is a lawyer based in Sydney.