Buddhist Council of Western Australia Inc.

The Office of Multicultural Interests and the Buddhist Council of WA co-organised a special and historic Vesak Day celebration representing the Buddhist communities of Western Australia. 

The president of BCWA Ms Natasha Tang JP thanked the Acting Minister of Citizenship & Multicultural Interests Hon. Reece Whitby MLA, Hon Tjorn Sibma MLC, representing the Opposition Leader, venerable members of the Buddhist sangha and guests for their attendance.

Please click here to watch a short video of the event.

The Federation of Australian Buddhist Buddhist Councils supports the recognition of First Nations peoples in the Constitution as requested in the Uluru Statement.

Reconciliation and redressing past wrongs require a comprehensive response: symbolic recognition in the Constitution, effective structures for consultation and decision making through the Voice, as well as practical moves towards addressing the problems outlined in the Closing the Gap and other reports.

There are uncertainties about the effect of constitutional change and how effective the Voice will be in addressing Indigenous disadvantage. However we are reassured about the approach being taken because: Read more »

Last week, the Home Affairs Deputy Secretary (DS) of Social Cohesion and Citizenship, Andrew Kefford PSM visited Perth.

In this role, he is responsible for Australia’s Citizenship Program, and social cohesion and Australian values, and is concurrently appointed as the Commonwealth’s Counter-Terrorism Coordinator and Counter Foreign Interference Coordinator. Andrew Kefford PSM is also the Indigenous Champion for the department of Home Affairs.

While in Perth, he met with various faith leaders across WA (pictured below). Discussions centred on how to maximise social cohesion outcomes across community, and acknowledging the critical role that faith leaders play in leading and building resilience.

DS Andrew Kefford PSM also hosted an afternoon tea with various community representatives from across Western Australia. It was an opportunity to thank and acknowledge the important role community representatives undertake in advocating for positive social cohesion outcomes for their community and for their continued engagement with the Australian Government.

(The BCWA president is pictured second from the right)