Multicultural Australia’s 2026 LUMINOUS Lantern parade

Minister for Women and Women’s Economic Security; Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism, the Honourable Fiona Simpson MP; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Federal Member for Oxley, the Honourable Milton Dick MP; Representing the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Councillor Vicki Howard; Assistant Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Member for Oodgeroo (Cleveland), the Honourable Amanda Stoker MP; Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Planning and Regional Development, Member for Woodridge,  the Honourable Cameron Dick MP; Shadow Minister for Public Works, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Member for Jordan, Ms Charis Mullen MP; Member for Griffith, Ms Renee Coffey MP; Senators for Queensland, Senator Larissa Waters and Senator Paul Scarr; Mayor, Logan City Council, Councillor Jon Raven; Ipswich City Council, Councillor Pye Augustine; Multicultural Australia, Board Chair Dr Mellissa Naidoo and CEO Ms Jo Nelson; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by also acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here tonight, and I thank Waveney Yasso for her Welcome to Country.

As Governor and Patron of Multicultural Australia, it’s wonderful to join you this evening for this annual LUMINOUS Lantern Parade, celebrating Queensland’s rich cultural diversity.  

This event, held on the eve of Queensland’s Multicultural Month, has become a cherished tradition, bringing people from diverse cultures and backgrounds together to walk side-by-side, carrying beautiful lanterns reflecting their culture, stories and hopes for the future.

Tonight, we honour the journeys of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants who now call Queensland home. Many have travelled great distances, overcome profound challenges, learnt a new language, and secured housing and employment so they can rebuild their lives with strength and optimism.  

Relying on those same reserves of courage and determination that brought them here, they have gone on to contribute greatly to our communities, helping to shape our state and our nation.  

Today, Queensland is home to people from over 220 countries, with different cultures, languages and religious backgrounds, underpinned by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, whose cultural heritage forms a deep and firm foundation.   

I applaud Multicultural Australia for its enduring commitment to help new Queenslanders settle and thrive in our state, and for its leadership in reaffirming the values of inclusion, belonging and social cohesion in everything it does. Such advocacy ensures that Queensland remains a welcoming and compassionate state.

Tonight’s LUMINOUS Lantern Parade is a powerful symbol of social cohesion: an opportunity for us to come together in unity and mutual respect to celebrate our diversity. As Governor, I am proud of Queensland’s multicultural identity, and of the compassion and generosity shown by the organisations and communities represented here this evening.

To all of those involved in tonight’s parade — from the participants, partners, sponsors and volunteers — I offer my deep gratitude for the important roles you also play in strengthening the bonds that hold our communities together.  

The beautifully-crafted lanterns we will see tonight symbolise joy, hope and connection — underscoring humanity’s universal desire for light amid darkness.

May tonight’s parade inspire us all to continue building a Queensland where every culture is respected, every story is honoured, and every person feels they belong.

I hope you enjoy this wonderful celebration.