Sydney - Middle East Times Int’l: New analysis of the 2021 Census data, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today, shows the proportion of overseas born and second generation migrants in Australia have steadily increased since the end of World War II, as counted in the 1947 Census. 

Duncan Young, General Manager of the Census said, “It is the suite of cultural diversity questions in the Census, such as ancestry, country of birth, English proficiency, languages spoken, citizenship status, year of arrival and religious affiliation, which allows us to better understand the increasing complexity and growing cultural diversity in Australia. 

“The ancestry variables in the Census provide a self-assessed measure of ethnicity and cultural background. When used alongside the country of birth of individuals and their parents, Census data provides a good indication of the ethnic background of all Australians”. 

In the first Census in 1911, the proportion of Australians who were born overseas was 18 per cent. In 2021, more than seven million people in Australia were born overseas, this is almost 30 per cent of the population. It is an increase from 6.1 million, or 26 per cent, in 2016. Over a million people arrived in Australia since the 2016 Census and of these 230,000 are from India, 137,000 are from China and 71,000 are from Nepal.

Most of Australia’s population are descendants of migrants and as a result, the most common ancestries align with the most common countries of birth of the population over time. In 2021, Australia’s top five ancestries largely reflected waves of British and European migration and were the same top five as reported in 2016. The five most common overseas countries of birth were the same in 2021 as reported in 2016, however India has moved from fourth largest to second largest. India only sits behind England for overseas countries of birth in Australia.

Shared language is a component of understanding ethnicity. In 2021, 5.6 million people or 22 per cent, reported using a language other than English at home. This was an increase from 4.8 million people or 20.6 per cent in 2016. For people who used another language at home, the Census asked how well they spoke English. In 2021, 3.4 per cent of the population spoke English not well or not at all. 

Speaking ahead of the 2021 Census – cultural diversity data seminar jointly hosted by SBS and ABS today, Mandi Wicks, SBS Director of News and Current Affairs said, “Since SBS began in 1975, languages have been at the heart of what we do. During the past 45 years, Australia’s demography has changed enormously, and today SBS delivers content in 63 languages. The Census data is key to informing which languages we service by considering the size of language communities, their recentness of arrival and their needs”.

A major environment and recycling milestone will be reached this weekend with eight billion bottles, cans and drink cartons returned through the NSW Return and Earn return point network. 

Minister for Environment James Griffin said the incredible effort from NSW communities is transforming how we recycle.

“Return and Earn is a wildly successful NSW Government initiative that has well and truly changed the way we think about recycling and litter by turning trash into treasure,” Mr Griffin said.

“Return and Earn has fundamentally shifted people’s behaviour, turning what was once seen as waste into a now-valuable resource for the recycling industry, and delivering huge refunds to the community.

“Since it began in 2017, eight billion containers have now been returned, delivering $800 million in refunds to the people of NSW, and helping us reduce drink container litter by a massive 52 per cent.

“This is a huge win for our environment, with all plastic containers and glass bottles returned being given a new life and turned back into new food and drink containers to go back on our supermarket shelves within weeks.

“Heading down to the local Return and Earn point has become a routine part of life, and I’d like to thank the almost 80 per cent of adults in NSW who have got involved.” 

Return and Earn has contributed more than $35 million in donations to community groups and charities since the scheme launched in December 2017.

St Vincent de Paul Society of NSW Acting CEO Yolanda Saiz says Return and Earn is a key part of the organisation’s fundraising strategy, generating millions of dollars as a return point partner.

“St Vincent de Paul Society NSW’s involvement with Return and Earn has been a great success,” Ms Saiz said.

“Vinnies has seven Return and Earn depots across NSW where we currently employ over 30 people and last financial year our sites processed 95 million containers.

“This helped raise critical funds for the Society that help us provide services to people experiencing poverty and disadvantage.”

The 2022 edition of the Australian Government’s STEM Equity Monitor shows why a renewed effort is needed to address the systematic barriers preventing greater diversity in our science and technology sectors.

The new data published today shows women as a proportion of all people working in STEM-qualified jobs grew by 2 percentage points to 15% in 2021, while the number of women enrolling in university STEM courses increased by 24% between 2015 and 2020.

However, just 23% of senior management and 8% of CEOs in STEM-qualified industries are women and, on average, women still earn 18% less than men across all STEM industries.

Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said there is still much work to do to achieve equal opportunity for women to learn, work and engage in STEM, as well create more pathways for First Nations people, migrants, mature workers and those living with disability.

“We know that women remain chronically underrepresented when it comes to STEM and for First Nations people participation is much lower. That is why the Government has announced a review to determine how programs can be reformed to support greater diversity,” Minister Husic said.

“The data in the STEM Equity Monitor adds vital information in telling the story of where we are now. They underline the importance of why a renewed effort is needed to break down structural barriers to meet the growing demand for workers in the tech and science sectors.

“The latest STEM Equity Monitor reveals the need for greater action by industry, the community and governments to address the persistent barriers to participation in STEM education and careers.

Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith, Australia’s Women in STEM Ambassador, reiterated the need for more to be done to improve equity in STEM.

New data will be published every year for 10 years from 2020 to provide a consistent evidence base.

Over the past 12 years, the NSW Liberal Government has failed to invest in our hospitals and health workers. Now our hospitals are so overcrowded and understaffed that emergency and ambulance wait times are the longest on record. The Liberals want us to believe this is all a result of the pandemic, but in the five years before the pandemic, they cut 430 beds from NSW hospitals. That’s why a Parliamentary Inquiry has been established.

Budget Estimates is a key process for government accountability and transparency. The Budget Estimates inquiry involves detailed questioning on the decisions, actions and advice of ministers and public servants. Over the last few weeks NSW Labor has questioned the NSW Government about their most recent Budget and it has revealed in Budget Estimates that:

• Two years after the Black Summer Bushfires, it has failed to activate a Benevolent Fund for the families of injured or deceased firefighters

• The NSW Ageing and Disability Commission is so underfunded it may not be viable beyond the current financial year.  The Ageing and Disability Commissioner, Mr Robert Fitzgerald, his initial $29 million budget over four years was cut by 60 per cent just before the commission’s doors opened in 2019

• Passengers will wait for at least an extra year before the Sydenham to Bankstown section of the CBD and South -West Metro finally opens.

• In addition, the Minister for Disability Services sensationally claimed sixteen times in budget estimates today that she has no interest in disability accessibility. You can see a clip of this here.

Julia Finn shadow portfolios has discovered that:

• The Minister for Sport does not know where the Penrith stadium will be built despite his government issuing an acquisition notice to owners of Penrith Paceway and showground (adjacent to the current stadium. 

• The rebuild of the Sydney Football Stadium was $145 million over the original budget. 

• Just days after its opening, the Minister for Sport expressed reservations about the so-called 'ring of champions' at the Sydney Football Stadium. He said "All of the athletes who are currently acknowledged would be largely unknown to people under 50." 

• NSW Labor appointed the state's first youth minister in 1956 but the current Liberal Government has not had one despite being in power since 2011. They appointed a Minister for Regional Youth in 2019 - a year before the outbreak of COVID-19 and despite two years of lockdowns, curfews, work permits and policing in Western Sydney they still don't have a minister focused on young people in Western Sydney. 

• There are 45 staff in the Office of Regional Youth. The equivalent figure for Western Sydney is zero.

• The government recently announced a new $40 million Our Region, Our Voice program. The equivalent funding for Western Sydney is $0.

• The government spent over $20,000 on the Regional Gap Year initiative but have no idea how many young people took part in it.

If you're interested in letting Julia Finn know your thoughts on these matters, you can get in touch with her office via email [email protected]

Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transport from Wednesday 21 September.

The NSW Government will remove the requirement for people to wear masks on public transport, including taxis and rideshare services, in transport waiting areas and the indoor areas of cruise terminals.

“This is a common sense approach that brings the rules into line for people travelling on buses or trains with those for planes and airport terminals,” Premier Perrottet said.

NSW Health continues to recommend that people wear masks where they cannot physically distance from others, and in settings where there are vulnerable people and those who are at high risk of severe illness.

Minister Brad Hazzard said masks still play a significant role in reducing the risk of transmission.

“Continuing to wear a mask in crowded areas will be particularly important for people who have underlying health conditions or who are vulnerable to COVID-19 infection for other reasons. Wearing a mask in these settings will not only protect those around you, but will also reduce your risk of infection,” Mr Hazzard said.

“We can all continue to help protect each other, but particularly those most vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, by staying at home when feeling unwell, taking a COVID-19 test straight away and self-isolating.”

Minister for Transport, Veterans and Western Sydney David Elliott said he welcomed the decision to bring the mask mandate for commuters in line with arrangements in other states, domestic travel, venues and events. 

Projects to boost the employability of international students, promote wellbeing and support the recovery of the NSW international education sector are set to share in $400,000 as part of the NSW Government’s Partner Projects grant program. 

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said six projects will receive funding through the program, which engages industry with the international education sector to enhance the student experience in NSW.

“Prior to the pandemic, international education was NSW’s largest services export, generating more than $14 billion in revenue and supporting over 95,000 jobs,” Mr Henskens said. 

“International students play a vital role in enhancing our global connections, enriching communities and providing an invaluable talent pipeline for NSW businesses, connecting them with the world. 

“This program aims to build on NSW’s standing as an attractive study destination for international students and encourage more people to come to NSW and learn at our world leading education providers.

“NSW attracts more than 37 per cent of Australia’s international student population, and this program will support existing international students already in NSW and help with wider efforts to promote our State as a destination to prospective students.”

People wanting to experience the world will now be able to enjoy everything other cultures have to offer at home, thanks to the NSW Government offering million-dollar investments into major council-run cultural festivals and events. 

Grant funding of up to $500,000 a year for two years is now available for local councils across the state’s Six Cities to host major cultural events in partnership with the NSW Government.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this partnership will benefit the state’s Six Cities Regions, including celebrating our rich diversity, driving tourism and boosting local economies. 

“We are talking about working with councils to host events that will attract tens of thousands of people from far and wide that want to experience our state’s diverse cultures,” Mr Perrottet said. 

“By partnering with councils, we will be able to support them cater for bigger crowds, which will benefit their local economies and especially small businesses.”

This funding has been made available thanks to the NSW’s 2022-23 Budget, which saw a record $28 million invested into the state’s multicultural future.

Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said cultural events help celebrate NSW’s greatest asset—its people.

“Councils in our major cities all have a major event that is synonymous with their local community, whether it be Lunar New Year, the Mid Autumn Festival, Ramadan, Diwali or even Christmas,” Mr Coure said.

All councils across the state’s Six Cities are eligible to apply to support existing major cultural events or to establish a new one. 

Minister for Local Government Wendy Tuckerman said councils understand local needs, and were best placed to drive social and cultural events.

The Six Cities Regions comprise of the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle City, Central Coast City, Illawarra-Shoalhaven City, Western Parkland City, Central River City and Eastern Harbour City.

A Blue Plaque has been installed for the first time ever in NSW as part of the popular NSW Blue Plaques program, which recognises extraordinary people and events from our State’s history.

Minister for Heritage James Griffin said the Caroline Chisholm Blue Plaque in the suburb of East Maitland was the first of 21 Blue Plaques so far to be installed.

“Caroline Chisholm embodied the Australian spirit and was an advocate for women and immigrant families, so it’s fitting that her Blue Plaque is the first to be unveiled,” Mr Griffin said.

“Her tireless work towards improving conditions for countless immigrant women and families arriving in Australia is a history that we are proud to commemorate.

“Caroline Chisholm Cottage in East Maitland is now the permanent home for the first NSW Blue Plaque, and it’s just the first of many more sites around the state that will feature the plaques.

“Our $5 million Blue Plaques program is all about getting communities involved in local heritage, and recognising the extraordinary people and stories that helped shape NSW.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Taylor Martin said Caroline Chisholm Cottage is believed to be the only surviving site of her charitable works, dating back to 1842.

“Caroline Chisholm was an astounding person who dedicated her life to service,” Mr Martin said.

“After immigrating to Australia, she helped other newly arrived migrants, especially young women, and would meet every incoming ship to offer support in finding employment and housing for them.

After two years of lying dormant, 100 unique and original artworks have been shortlisted in Hornsby Shire Council’s 2022 Hornsby Art Prize. The finalist works of Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Digital Art-Stills and 3D Works will be on exhibition at Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre and Hornsby Central Library from 19 - 30 October 2022.

Hosted in partnership with the Hornsby Art Society, the Hornsby Art Prize is an annual, national art competition and exhibition promoting and celebrating outstanding original works of art. This year, the competition has a total prize pool valued at $23,000, with the major prize worth $10,000.

The Art Prize has proved incredibly popular, attracting 520 entries. Half were from Hornsby Shire with the other half coming from all Australian states and the ACT.

Hornsby Shire Mayor, Philip Ruddock said the quality was particularly impressive.

“We are delighted to have received such a strong interest in the Hornsby Art Prize. The standard of entries is regarded as being one of the finest in recent memory and all entrants are to be commended. We’ve received entries across a broad spectrum, including from nationally acclaimed artists as well as significant emerging artists,” Mayor Ruddock said.

“I would like to congratulate all the finalists for their inspiring artworks. The Hornsby Art Prize gives our residents and artists across the country a wonderful opportunity to create and experience high quality art, and this year people are certainly in for a treat.”

This year’s judges are artist and teacher Ms Janet Tavener, KAB Gallery Director and Curator Ms Kerry-Anne Blanket and sculptor and mentor Mr Col Henry.

“Hornsby Art Society is passionate about the development of the visual arts and a cultural presence within the Hornsby Shire. The Hornsby Art Prize is a wonderful way to engage and enthuse the community and we encourage everyone to come along and enjoy this fabulous selection of artworks,” said Hornsby Art Society President, Chris Beard.

Winners of the Hornsby Art Prize, including the Hornsby Shire Emerging Artist and the Wallarobba Outstanding Local Artist Awards, will be announced at an award ceremony on Saturday 22 October. Members of the pubic are invited to attend – registrations are essential at hornsby.nsw.gov.au/artprize

The Hornsby Art Prize Finalists’ Exhibition will be delivered over two sites, details as follows:

Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, 25 Edgeworth David Ave, Hornsby 

Open: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-4pm daily

On exhibition: Painting, Printmaking, Drawing and 3D Works 

Hornsby Central Library, 28-44 George St, Hornsby

Open: Monday to Friday: 10am-9pm, Saturday: 9.30am-5pm, Sunday: 2pm-5pm 

On exhibition: Digital Art – Stills

Primary producers affected by the February-March flooding event in New South Wales this year can now access additional funding of up to $100,000 thanks to a jointly funded program developed by the Commonwealth and NSW governments.

The $100 million Critical Producer Grant Program will provide primary producers hardest hit by floods with support to restore production systems and rebuild essential infrastructure to a standard that will better withstand future disasters.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Murray Watt said the Australian and New South Wales Governments remain committed to the recovery of flood-affected primary producers.

“We recognise that the farmers and individual families who put food and fibre on our plates have been significantly impacted by these immense flood events,” Minister Watt said.

“These grants will help play an important role in supporting those in the sector who are trying to rebuild and continue producing after overwhelming losses.

“We will continue to work with and listen to all levels of government to provide support where and when it’s needed over the time it takes to recover.”

NSW Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the grants will help primary producers in the key agriculture, horticulture, forestry and aquaculture industries get their businesses back on track.

“This package is part of more than $3.5 billion committed by both governments to help communities and industries recover from the devastation of repeated flooding events over the past year,” Mr Saunders said.

“The grants will provide the direct and much-needed assistance many primary producers need to recover, so they can get on with producing the vital products that Australia and the rest of the world relies on.