(Transcript from SBS World News Radio)
Recent events in at home and abroad are testing the harmony of Australia's multicultural society.
In part, the actions and statements of politicians have been blamed for raising tensions in the community.
But largely away from public notice, members of federal parliament speak out strongly in favour of tolerance and unity between different religions and races.
Amanda Cavill reports.
(Click on the audio tab above to hear the full report)
Over the weekend violence erupted at protests across Australia as anti-Islam and anti-racism groups clashed at rival rallies.
Around the country, a group calling themselves Reclaim Australia held rallies to oppose what they see as threats posed by Islam, sharia law and halal certification.
More than 3,000 people clashed in Melbourne, resulting in Victoria Police arresting two men and a woman.
But in the federal political arena, two unlikely allies are fighting to have the concept of multiculturalism accepted once again in Australia.
Labor's Maria Vamvakinou was born on the small Greek island of Lefkada while Liberal Russell Broadbent was born in Koo Wee Rup in Victoria.
She's a former high school teacher, he ran a string of clothing stores.
She's bilingual, he jokes that his second language doesn't kick in until after 9.30 at night.
Together they launched federal Parliament's 'Friends of Multiculturalism' committee in 2007, at a time when the heat in the refugee debate was undermining Australia's support for multiculturalism.
Mr Broadbent says when the pair started the committee they were not at all sure it would flourish.
"Seven years ago, in 2007, there wasn't a friend in the building for multiculturalism so it was a bit cheeky of Maria and I in the first place to say, right, we are starting Friends of Multiculturalism. As one very good friend of mine said, 'Russell, there will only be two at the meeting: you and Maria.'"
But the Committee gained strength and influence.
Mr Broadbent says the diplomatic community was the first to embrace it, joining the meetings because it saw Australia as a multicultural nation working well.
Other groups have flocked to the meetings since.
Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou says she believes it is important to fight for multiculturalism.
She says it's important the effort is bipartisan and that history is not allowed to repeat itself.
"It really was established to bring back the concept of multiculturalism to Canberra, to put it back on the political agenda because we were emerging from a decade long period where multiculturalism had become a very contentious and negative concept. The media in particular and public attitude seemed to blame issues, especially the arrival of refugees, 'boat people' as they came to be called and any sort of community disturbances were blamed on multiculturalism."
Over the years the committee has advocated, promoted and encouraged other members of Parliament to join them and success has followed.
Mr Broadbent says now there is a situation where multiculturalism in parliament house is no longer a negative word and is being promoted by MPs across the nation.
"We now have multiculturalism in this building, and it's not a bad word. It is a good word once again. And it proves that the past has been good. We have had a multicultural society that has worked well together and it's a together word. It's not about divisiveness, it's about drawing people together and having an understanding of that. A multicultural Australia seen by others as a success story" ry."
Former Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has paid tribute to the advocacy of Ms Vamvakinou and Mr Broadbent.
"I want to commend them for the work that they do in this parliament on building the understanding and support for many issues I know are so important to celebrating, acknowledging and working through the challenges and opportunities that come with our very diverse ethnic society and many language backgrounds and the multicultural nature of the way our country has developed over many, many years. I think it is a bipartisan area of policy activity and I hope that that would long continue."
Mr Broadbent says Australia needs to continue to spread the message that multiculturalism is a story of success and inclusion.
Maria Vamvakinou says multiculturalism allows people who come to Australia to integrate and yet retain their cultural links, and it's vital the message is not confused by world and local events.
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