The Smart State's nine universities this week (Tuesday, Oct 26) signed a historic document formally committing their institutions to discrimination-free education and renewed respect for cultural diversity.

"Our universities provide a critical gateway to and from the rest of the world and are vital in helping the Government implement our Multicultural Queensland Policy as widely as possible," Mr Beattie said.

"I invited our universities to join the Queensland Government in promoting one of Queensland's great strengths in a strategy to promote our diversity in the higher education sector.

"I thank them for their unanimous support for this Affirmation of Diversity because they have a key role in promoting the benefits of multiculturalism.

"Our universities have to meet the needs of domestic and international students from culturally and linguistically-diverse backgrounds.

"Queenslanders and the universities already have a positive reputation overseas which results in thousands of students coming to Queensland to study.

"More than 180,000 students currently attend Queensland's universities. About 35,500 are international students from more than 140 countries, more than 2,000 are Indigenous Australians and a significant number of domestic students come from non-English speaking backgrounds.

"I want Queensland to build on its excellent reputation for inclusiveness to become an international multicultural role model.

"It's a smart strategy that enhances internal relations as well as Queensland\'s international reputation.".

The Premier said a culturally-inclusive state needed to train professionals who understood the importance of cultural diversity.".

Mr Beattie said his government's Office of Public Service Merit and Equity considered that a diverse workforce could significantly improve an organisation's business performance by harnessing a broader and richer pool of knowledge, skills and experience.

"Access to new and different perspectives and insights promotes improved critical analysis, innovation and creativity," he said. "Our universities have made a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive culture that will reap huge rewards today and into the future.

"My government will work in partnership with the universities to ensure we capitalise on Queensland's multicultural strengths." The Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier, with responsibility for multicultural affairs, Karen Struthers, said the Beattie Government had made an election commitment to provide extra funding of $3 million for multiculturalism.

"At a time when the world is experiencing cultural and religious conflicts, the Smart State is setting an agenda of cultural acceptance," she said.

"Universities, through their curriculum development, international students, research and marketing, play a pivotal role in the promotion of multiculturalism.".

Contacts: 3224 4500 Premier's Office, 3227 8064 Parliamentary Secretary's Office.