Fed: Former GG calls for defence of multiculturalism

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2004
Fed: Former GG calls for defence of multiculturalism

Former Governor-General Sir WILLIAM DEANE says multiculturalism in Australia is under
attack and should be defended as the backbone of the nation.

Sir WILLIAM was speaking at Melbourne University where he was awarded an honorary Doctor
of Law degree.

He told hundreds of graduating students and their parents that multiculturalism has
made national unity possible and inspires and sustains modern Australia.

Sir WILLIAM says he profoundly disagrees with sneering references to political correctness
and suggestions that multiculturalism is ridiculous.

Sir WILLIAM also made a passionate plea for Australians to recognise the crippling
poverty gripping much of the world.

He says the tragedies of September 11, Bali and Madrid show the terrible scale of the
tragedy of children dying from malnutrition or disease in the third world.

Sir WILLIAM says the UN estimates six million children die every year, or 16,000 every
day, from starvation or malnutrition.

Among the audience was foreign minister ALEXANDER DOWNER whose daughter graduated.

AAP RTV apw/wz

KEYWORD: DEANE (MELBOURNE)

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