Mihi 
As-salumu alaykum, Peace be Upon you

​​Acknowledge the dignatories: Hon Megan Woods, Hon Nicky Wagner, Crs Jimmy Chen and Anne Galloway.

​And thank you Mike Fowler, Principal Hagley Community College, not only for being our host today, but for all the work the College does to be such a welcoming and supportive environment for all.

​I wish to begin by acknowledging Farida Sultana and Shakti for hosting this important conference, and for inviting me to participate. 
I also acknowledge the NZ Minister, Jenny Salesa and Australian Senator, Mehreen Faruqi, Parliamentarians from all sides of our Parliaments, and human rights practitioners on both sides of the Tasman.
I am glad that this is a Trans-Tasman event, as I believe it is essential that we work across borders to tackle issues like racism and discrimination, and to identify what needs to happen to promote active citizenship across all communities regardless of where we are born or what faith we practice.