in nation building -- economically, socially and culturally. We have a big vision and a significant policy program to match, including our investment in a strong economy, paid parental leave, the National Broadband Network, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and the education reforms arising from the Gonski Review. Today's meeting provides an opportunity to reflect on the important work you do in assisting refugees and migrants to settle in Australia. Congratulations on your very successful second National Settlement Conference held in June of this year. I commend the work of SCoA and in particular, Eugenia Tsoulis in bringing that event together.  I am pleased that the Department was able to sponsor the conference. The conference offered an important forum for attendees to consider key issues, to reflect on the important work we do together and to share best practice and research. It also provided an excellent opportunity to help grow and strengthen sector partnerships. It gave policy makers, academics, advocates, community representatives and service providers the opportunity to come together and participate in the ongoing and critical dialogue for creating a future for all Australians. The conference also offered an opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the strengths and benefits that being multicultural brings -- through the colour and vibrancy of the many and varied performances, song and dance. It is a reminder that more than 60 years of planned migration has created a unique multicultural society. We have made enormous gains economically, we have also benefited greatly from the social