We've also been recently informed that The Hon Adam Bandt is snowed under with parliamentary work on November 10. We thank him and his office for their support for the panel.
We are however very fortunate to have another distinguished guest to add. Dr Berhan Ahmed was Victoria's candidate for 2009 Australian of the Year and in 2004 was the first African Australian in history to stand for the Australian Parliament. He is an Eritrean Australian community leader and chairperson of the
African Think Tank Inc. We very much welcome Dr Berhan to the panel, and thank him for his time.
Earlier this year Dr Ahmed made important
statements about the similarity of racisms faced by both African and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Dr Ahmed's community work provides Australians from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds the opportunity to think about our shared responsibilities to one another, and how racism in all its manifestations can be challenged and defeated.
