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At the crossroads... Social Justice

Mick Young.

Mick Young gives his view on social justice.

Created:

1995

Date Added:

19 July 2002

Source:

Interview for Making Multicultural Australia, 1995.

Format:

mov (Quicktime);

File size:

--

Length:

26 secs

Transcript

MICK YOUNG
Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs, and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Multicultural Affairs, 1987-88

I see social justice in terms of facilitating the entry of these people as quickly as possible, on what they need. They need the English language - they might maintain their own language at home, but they’re going nowhere without the English language. They need a good education, they need access to employment, they need the opportunity for promotion, all these things which are very, very important to make them look equal.

CONTINUATION OF INTERVIEW AS TEXT

But all the time... use the old theme, take the community with you when you want to do these things.

Left to its own devices, progress is going to be very slow. You really do have to keep your finger on it. The government, particularly as a trend-setter in these areas, must keep its foot on the accelerator. Because as soon as it lifts its foot, people are quite happy for things to drop back, and we have seen illustration after illustration - lots of enthusiasm early, and then as soon as you blink, back it goes to the bad old ways.

Interview for Making Multicultural Australia, 1995.