Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series

About the Speaker Series

  • The Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series is one of the key ways the Queensland Government is promoting the Multicultural Queensland Charter (the Charter).
  • The Series aims to build understanding of the Charter’s principles, and how these can be brought to life in a practical sense.
  • Each forum has its own theme, and features knowledgeable and influential guest speakers presenting on topics related to the Charter.
  • The Speaker Series is invite only and specifically targets corporations, organisations and institutions who are on our Multicultural Queensland Ambassador Program, as well as senior officers from across Queensland Government.

Speaker Series #3 – 'More than words – turning the Charter principles into actions' – 29 March 2019

After coming together for A Taste of Harmony networking morning tea, we heard from the Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner, Chin Tan, on translating the Multicultural Queensland Charter principles into reality through meaningful actions.

Chin then joined a panel discussion on the practical ways all corporate, non-profit and public sector organisations can bring the Charter principles to life in these contexts. The expert panellists who joined Chin for this discussion were: Ian Stewart, Commissioner of Police, Queensland Police Service; Kathleen Forrester, Deputy Director-General, Strategy Policy and Planning Division, Queensland Health; and Sara Parrott, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Suncorp Group.

Opening address: The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP, former Minister for Local Government, Minister for Racing and former Minister for Multicultural Affairs

Keynote address: 'Cultural diversity – transforming aspirations into realities', Chin Tan,
Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission

Panel discussion: 'How to bring the Charter to life in practical and meaningful ways'
Chin Tan, Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission;
Ian Stewart, Commissioner of Police, Queensland Police Service;
Kathleen Forrester, Deputy Director-General, Strategy Policy and Planning Division, Queensland Health;
Sara Parrott, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Suncorp Group.

  • ‘How to bring the Charter to life in practical and meaningful ways’ Chin Tan, Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission; Ian Stewart, Commissioner of Police, Queensland Police Service; Kathleen Forrester, Deputy Director-General, Strategy Policy…

    ‘How to bring the Charter to life in practical and meaningful ways’
    Chin Tan, Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission;
    Ian Stewart, Commissioner of Police, Queensland Police Service;
    Kathleen Forrester, Deputy Director-General, Strategy Policy and Planning Division, Queensland Health; Sara Parrott, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Suncorp Group.

Speaker Series #2 – 'Leading Inclusion' – 7 June 2018

  • The theme was 'Leading Inclusion', and focused on inclusive leadership and how everyone can champion the cultural diversity and inclusion agenda.
  • Our keynote speaker, Tasneem Chopra, spoke about the importance of inclusive leadership, making the most of multicultural talent and moving from tolerance to understanding.
  • The panel discussion was also incredibly engaging as Tasneem joined Dr Jane O'Leary (Diversity Council Australia), Joshua Griffin (SBS) and Mackayla Jefferies (Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland) to discuss a range of topics including unconscious bias training, current research, and the need for individuals to visibly demonstrate they are inclusive.

Opening address: The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP, former Minister for Local Government, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs

  • Opening address: The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs For more information about the Multicultural Queensland Charter and the speaker series, visit http://www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/speaker-series #MQCharter

    Opening address: The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Minister for Local Government, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs

    For more information about the Multicultural Queensland Charter and the speaker series, visit http://www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/speaker-series
    #MQCharter

Keynote address: Tasneem Chopra, Cross-Cultural Consultant and Director – “Inclusive leadership, diversity & unconscious bias”

  • Keynote address: Tasneem Chopra, Cross-Cultural Consultant and Director – "Inclusive leadership, diversity and unconscious bias" For more information about the Multicultural Queensland Charter and the speaker series, visit http://www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/speaker-series #MQCharter

    Keynote address: Tasneem Chopra, Cross-Cultural Consultant and Director – "Inclusive leadership, diversity and unconscious bias"

    For more information about the Multicultural Queensland Charter and the speaker series, visit http://www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/speaker-series
    #MQCharter

Panel discussion: “Practical ways to champion diversity and inclusion”

  • Panel discussion: Practical ways to champion diversity and inclusion For more information about the Multicultural Queensland Charter and the speaker series, visit http://www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/speaker-series #MQCharter

    Panel discussion: Practical ways to champion diversity and inclusion

    For more information about the Multicultural Queensland Charter and the speaker series, visit http://www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/speaker-series
    #MQCharter

Testimonials

Hearing practical advice about how to embed inclusive practices in the workplace was really useful. Raising the issue of how we can tackle systemic, unconscious exclusive behaviours was very thought provoking, a big thanks to all the panel speakers

—Jane Storr, TAFE Queensland

Tasneem was an inspirational and mesmerising speaker. I could have listened to her all afternoon! I appreciated an update on the latest initiatives and research that best promotes diversity and inclusion.

—Angela Powell, Hudson

Speaker Series #1 – 'Diversity Works' – 13 March 2018

  • The theme of the first forum was 'Diversity Works', and focused on how to build more diverse and inclusive workplaces.
  • We were honoured to have Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Tim Soutphommasane, and the Queensland Public Service Commissioner, Mr Robert Setter, speak at the forum and share some important insights to building a more diverse and inclusive workplace, its challenges and benefits.
  • We also heard from an inspiring panel consisting of Access Community ServicesMDA LtdCareerSeekers and Refugee Talent to hear about the great work they do to link people from culturally diverse backgrounds to meaningful employment.

Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series – Diversity Works

  • We recently hosted our inaugural Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series event titled ‘Diversity Works’. The forum focused on how to build more diverse and inclusive workplaces. Topics included: the business case for diversity and…

    We recently hosted our inaugural Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series event titled ‘Diversity Works’.

    The forum focused on how to build more diverse and inclusive workplaces. Topics included: the business case for diversity and inclusion; unconscious bias; and how to recruit a diverse workforce.

    Here’s what our audience had to say about the day.

    For more information about the Multicultural Queensland Charter and the speaker series, visit http://www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/speaker-series
    #MQCharter

Keynote address: Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Race Discrimination Commissioner
“Diversity works – but you've got to work for it”

  • The Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs held an inaugural Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series event titled ‘Diversity Works’. We were honoured to have Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Tim Soutphommasane as a…

    The Department of Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs held an inaugural Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series event titled ‘Diversity Works’.

    We were honoured to have Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner, Dr Tim Soutphommasane as a keynote speaker who shared his view on how diversity works to foster better workplaces.

    For more information about the Multicultural Queensland Charter and the speaker series, visit http://www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/speaker-series
    #MQCharter

Keynote address: Robert Setter, Commission Chief Executive, Queensland Public Service Commission
“Towards an inclusive and diverse workplace – why and how”

  • Commission Chief Executive of the Queensland Public Service Commission, Robert Setter, spoke at our first Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series forum. The series shared insights from speakers and panelists regarding the business case for diversity…

    Commission Chief Executive of the Queensland Public Service Commission, Robert Setter, spoke at our first Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series forum.

    The series shared insights from speakers and panelists regarding the business case for diversity and inclusion; unconscious bias; and how to recruit a diverse workforce.

    Hear Robert’s views on how to build a more inclusive workplace this video from the event.

    For more information about the Multicultural Queensland Charter and the speaker series, visit http://www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/speaker-series
    #MQCharter

Panel discussion: “Recruiting a diverse workforce”

  • Michael Combs, CareerSeekers
  • Nirary Dacho, Refugee Talent
  • Gail Ker OAM, Access Group International Limited
  • Mitra Khakbaz, MDA Ltd
  • Meet four inspiring Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series panellists who recently discussed their employment programs that link people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to meaningful job opportunities. This forum, titled 'Diversity Works', focused on…

    Meet four inspiring Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series panellists who recently discussed their employment programs that link people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to meaningful job opportunities.

    This forum, titled 'Diversity Works', focused on how to build more diverse and inclusive workplaces. Topics included: the business case for diversity and inclusion; unconscious bias; and how to recruit a diverse workforce.

    For more information about the Multicultural Queensland Charter and the speaker series, visit http://www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/speaker-series
    #MQCharter

Closing address: The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe MP, former Minister for Local Government, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs

  • Minister for Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs, Hon Stirling Hinchliffe MP, officially launched our first Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series event. The theme for this forum was ‘Diversity works’ and we heard from a…

    Minister for Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs, Hon Stirling Hinchliffe MP, officially launched our first Multicultural Queensland Charter Speaker Series event.
    The theme for this forum was ‘Diversity works’ and we heard from a variety of speakers about how to build more diverse and inclusive workplaces.
    Here is a short preview of what the minister had to say.

Testimonials

Great session, great speakers and very engaging. Great opportunity to network

—Scott Harrison, Surf Life Saving QLD

Excellent event, broadened my thinking on this topic from a different perspective. Will make me think more about diversity and how I can support this in my role at work and at home!

—Nick Shaw, Department of Transport and Main Roads

Show your support for the Charter by downloading a copy to display in your workplace, school, community or event

Read this guide to understanding the Charter and how to apply it in everyday life

  • The Multicultural Queensland Charter sets out eight principles to achieve the vision of a harmonious, inclusive and united Queensland. It’s up to all of us to put the principles into practice – whether that be…

    The Multicultural Queensland Charter sets out eight principles to achieve the vision of a harmonious, inclusive and united Queensland. It’s up to all of us to put the principles into practice – whether that be in our community, in the workplace, at home, in schools, in the way we do business and on the sporting field. Thanks to VMP for putting together this video.
    To learn more about the Multicultural Queensland Charter, visit our website www.dlgrma.qld.gov.au/mqcharter