ECAJ director appointed to Multi-Cultural Advisory Council
Peter Wertheim, the Executive Director of The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has been appointed to the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council.
Peter Wertheim
The appointment was announced by the Federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans jointly with Laurie Ferguson, Parliamentary Secretary for Multicultural Affairs and Settlement Services.
The Australian Government today reappointed the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council for a second term of two years.
Senator Evans said the role of the council was to provide advice on social cohesion issues and on communicating the benefits of cultural diversity to the Australian community.
‘I am pleased that AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou will continue as chair; his leadership builds on a strong personal commitment to a fair and inclusive Australia,’ Senator Evans said.
‘I am also pleased to announce that South Australian District Court Judge Rauf Soulio will take up the new position of deputy chair.
‘The council’s primary task during its first term was to provide advice on a cultural diversity policy.
‘Andrew Demetriou presented the council’s cultural diversity statement, The People of Australia, to me in April, for the government’s consideration.
‘Its second-term priorities include providing the government with advice on how best to support migrant settlement in rural and regional locations, and areas with employment opportunities.
‘The council will also be involved in the formation of policy initiatives at the neighbourhood level that will better strengthen local communities.’
Laurie Ferguson, said council members brought a practical understanding of community needs and the capacity to examine any one issue from a range of perspectives.
‘The council will build on the considerable work its members have undertaken in its first term. We look forward to working with them,’ Mr Ferguson said.
The council’s second term runs from 1 July 2010 until 30 June 2012. The council will continue to consist of 16 members, drawing on a range of experience and expertise.
Following the retirement of Rhonda Jacobsen and Brian Schwartz AM from the council, two new members – John Rawnsley and Peter Wertheim AM – have been appointed. John Rawnsley is the manager of the Alice Springs Desert Leadership Program with Desert Knowledge Australia and Peter Wertheim AM is the executive director of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.
Wertheim told J-Wire: “I was very pleased to accept the position and see it as a mark of honour for the whole Australian Jewish community, I am looking forward to making a positive contribution to the Council.”
