Ministerial Multicultural Advisory Council holds inaugural meeting

The inaugural meeting of Tasmania’s Ministerial Multicultural Advisory Council took place yesterday, marking an important milestone in delivering the Tasmanian Government’s Multicultural Action Plan 2025–2029.

The Government is committed to building a more inclusive Tasmania where people from all backgrounds feel welcome, supported and able to contribute to our State.

Minister for Community and Multicultural Affairs, Roger Jaensch, said the newly inducted members will help ensure the voices and experiences of multicultural Tasmanians support a more inclusive, connected and welcoming Tasmania.

“During consultation on the Multicultural Action Plan, communities were clear about the importance of having a dedicated advisory body to strengthen engagement with Government,” Minister Jaensch said.

“The council will play an important role in overseeing and supporting the implementation of the action plan, while providing advice on issues and challenges affecting culturally and linguistically diverse Tasmanians.

“The strength of this council lies in the breadth of experience, professional expertise and community connections its members bring.”

The five individual council members are:

• Md Imadul Islam Rahat, an entrepreneur, co-founder of Tasmania’s first halal meat retailer, and specialist in supporting arrivals under Australia’s Humanitarian Settlement Program.
• Unaisi Lalagevasi, president of the Hobart Fijian Community and a member of the Pacific Island Council of Tasmania, and an educator with 30 years’ experience in early learning education and care.
• Snehashree Sapkota, a case worker providing peer support to lived experience advocates of family and sexual violence.
• Charles Makoundi, co-founder and treasurer of the Culturally Diverse Alliance of Tasmania and former chairman of the Tasmanian African Community Forum.
• Astri Kirkland, a community leader with extensive experience in community connection, youth support, and cultural engagement across the North-West.

The two organisational council members are:

• Dr Gillian Long, CEO of Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania, which supports people from migrant and refugee backgrounds through provision of statewide specialised settlement services, youth support, aged care services, mental health assistance and counselling, and capacity building.
• Mark Deverell, CEO of Welcome Cultural Services, which delivers multicultural community support, disability and allied health services, employment pathways, and community development initiatives across the North and North-West.

Bruno Ferreira, CEO of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, will also sit on the council and represent the State’s peak body for culturally and linguistically diverse Tasmanians.