Unity in diversity: Why multiculturalism strengthens Queensland and Australia

From the editor’s desk

In recent weeks, the ugly face of racism has reared its head again, with attempts by some groups to organise anti-immigration protests targeting Queensland’s vibrant multicultural communities, and elsewhere in Australia. Among the groups singled out in this hateful rhetoric has been the Queensland-Indian community, a community that has not only enriched our state culturally but has also played a vital role in shaping its progress. These attacks are not just an insult to the people of Indian origin, they are an affront to the very spirit of Australia.

Australia’s story, particularly Queensland’s story, has always been one of migration, resilience, and unity in diversity. Every wave of immigrants who arrived on these shores brought with them more than just their hopes and dreams — they carried their skills, their hard work, their values, and their deep desire to contribute. These are the qualities that built the Queensland we know today. The Indian community, alongside so many others, has exemplified this spirit. From medical professionals to small business owners, from teachers and engineers to artists and entrepreneurs, their contributions are woven into the very fabric of our society.

When Fiona Simpson, Queensland’s Minister for Multiculturalism, recently condemned the racist material promoting these antiimmigration protests, she reminded us of something essential: this rhetoric is unAustralian. It is not who we are. As she rightly said, racism has no place here — not now, not ever. These attempts to divide us are not just harmful to individuals, they undermine the shared values of fairness, democracy, and mutual respect that underpin our nation.

Senator Paul Scarr, too, has spoken passionately about this, acknowledging the immense contributions of the Indian diaspora and multicultural communities at large. His words carried both recognition and gratitude — sentiments that resonate with everyday Australians who know that their doctors, teachers, neighbours, colleagues, and friends often come from diverse backgrounds. These are not strangers; they are part of our shared Australian story.

And that story is one of building together. Immigrant families, as Steven Miles has pointed out, have industriously shaped Queensland with the values of family, faith, and freedom. These are not abstract concepts. They are the values we see daily in Indian Australian families running grocery stores that serve entire neighbourhoods, in young engineers designing solutions to complex challenges, in nurses and doctors who worked tirelessly during the pandemic, and in students who bring fresh ideas and innovation to our universities. These are stories of hard work and commitment — stories that deserve to be celebrated, not vilified. When divisive rhetoric enters our national conversation, it chips away at the trust and cohesion that make a society thrive. Anti-immigration protests may masquerade as “concern” for the nation’s future, but they are, in truth, destructive distractions. They shift the focus from real issues — economic opportunity, education, housing, healthcare — and redirect anger unfairly towards people who are simply living their lives, contributing, and belonging. They attack people based on where they were born or what language they speak at home, when in fact, those differences are what have given Australia its vibrancy, resilience, and global standing.

The Indian diaspora in particular stands as a shining example of what migration brings to Australia. With one of the fastest-growing communities in Queensland, Indians have contributed not only in numbers but also in depth. Festivals like Diwali and Holi are no longer celebrated only within the Indian community; they are embraced by Australians of all backgrounds. This culture sharing enriches everyone. Indian cuisine, music, and traditions have found a natural home here, adding colour and diversity to daily life. Beyond culture, Indian Australians are leaders in academia, in technology, in business, and in politics. Their voice in public life reminds us that diversity is not just about coexistence — it is about shared leadership and shared responsibility.

And this is not unique to Indians alone. Across Queensland, across Australia, migrant groups from every corner of the world have helped build the state’s economy and society. From Italian farmers to Vietnamese shopkeepers, from Greek restaurateurs to Pacific Islander athletes, every community has added a piece to the mosaic that is modern Australia. This collective effort has made us stronger, more dynamic, and more resilient in facing global challenges.

Anti-immigration rhetoric, then, is not simply unkind or exclusionary — it is profoundly short-sighted. It ignores the evidence of history, which tells us that migration has always been a source of strength. It ignores the reality of today, where skilled migrants are essential to filling workforce gaps and driving innovation. And it jeopardises the future, because a society that is closed to diversity is one that limits its own potential.

At the heart of this debate is a question of citizenship and belonging. What does it mean to be Australian? For many of us, it is not about where you were born, but how you live — the values you hold, the respect you show, the contribution you make. Citizenship is about unity under a shared identity, not uniformity of origin. To suggest that being “Australian” excludes those who come from different backgrounds is to deny the very reality of our nation’s past and present.

That is why these antiimmigration protests must be called out for what they are: attempts to sow fear and division. They do not represent the silent majority of Australians, who live side by side with neighbours of different backgrounds, who celebrate diversity at community events, and who understand that respect and fairness are at the heart of our national ethos. In times like this, leadership matters. The voices of our leaders, whether Fiona Simpson, Senator Scarr, Steven Miles or others, are critical in affirming what kind of society we want to be. But leadership is not only for politicians — it belongs to all of us. Every time an ordinary Australian speaks up for a friend, a neighbour, or a colleague who faces prejudice, they are leading. Every time communities come together to celebrate culture, they are resisting division. Every time we remind ourselves that diversity is our strength, we are writing the next chapter of the Australian story.

Multiculturalism is not simply a policy or a slogan; it is lived experience. It is parents teaching their children to respect difference. It is schools where students speak dozens of languages at home but share the same playground. It is workplaces where teams are strengthened by different perspectives. It is aged care centres where seniors find joy in cultural celebrations, like the recent Independence Day event hosted by the Federation of Indian Communities of Queensland at Finncare, where music and laughter bridged generations and cultures. These are the quiet, everyday triumphs of multiculturalism — and they matter far more than the noise of hate.

Australia has never been perfect, but it has always strived to be fair. The anti-immigration voices that try to tell us otherwise are not protecting Australia’s future; they are attacking its very essence. Our future depends on inclusion, on openness, and on valuing the contributions of every citizen, whether their family has been here for two years or two hundred.

The Indian diaspora and other migrant communities remind us daily that unity in diversity is not just a slogan — it is a lived reality. And it is a reality worth defending. As Australians, we cannot allow the voices of division to drown out the harmony that defines us. We must stand together — because when we do, there is nothing we cannot achieve as one nation, united in spirit, enriched by difference, and strengthened by our shared humanity.

For people from Queensland, this means securing a way of life that blends stability and opportunity. In a world where trust is becoming just as valuable as trade itself, India is looking for trustworthy partners. Both can accomplish more when they work together than when they work alone.

The Queensland-India Trade and Investment Strategy 2025–2028 is more than just a policy document because of this. It is a pledge to the future, to Indians, and to Queenslanders.