By Cameron Atfield

Copyright brisbanetimes

“Firstly, and most importantly, we need to be different to the rest of the world,” he said.

“We need to reject what’s happening in the rest of the world, and we need to reject political extremism in this country – and in this city, in particular.

“We need to find common ground. We need to firmly plant our flag in that common ground, and we need to stand that common ground, because all of you know enough of your global history to know what happens when the extremes take hold.

“But let’s remember this: Brisbane is a place – and Australia is a place – that’s a truly successful multicultural nation.

“Thirty per cent of Brisbane residents and 30 per cent of Australians were born overseas … now how does that compare to other places? How many people in the United States were born overseas? Just 15 per cent – half as many as what we have here in Australia and in Brisbane.