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DIMIA Annual Report 2001-02

2.3.2 Promotion of the value of Australian citizenship

Objective

To promote acquisition of Australian citizenship and to enhance awareness of the value of citizenship in the community at large.

Description

This output component covers promotion of the value of Australian citizenship and policy and law on Australian citizenship.

Key results

  • the department continued with the timely implementation of all aspects of the government's response to the Report of the Australian Citizenship Council

  • the Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment Act was introduced by Mr Hardgrave and received Royal Assent on 4 April 2002.

    Amendments to the Australian Citizenship Act 1948, including repeal of section 17, received considerable media attention and very positive responses from individuals and organisations in Australia and overseas.

    This was reflected in large numbers of ministerial and other correspondence

  • the department also launched a highly successful national Australian citizenship promotion campaign, which included media advertising and a series of events to mark the inaugural Australian Citizenship Day on 17 September 2001.

    Other citizenship events during Australia Day and Harmony Day 2002 received a positive response and high level community participation.

OUTPUT 2.4 APPRECIATION OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY

2.4.1 Appreciation of cultural diversity Objective

To provide policy advice on Australian multiculturalism to ensure that cultural diversity is a unifying force in Australia.

Description

This output component covers implementation of the government's New Agenda for Multicultural Australia, and promotion of harmonious community relations through the Living in Harmony initiative.

Key results

  • in assisting the government to implement the New Agenda for Multicultural Australia, the Council for Multicultural Australia (CMA) actively established critical links with organisations such as the Australian Multicultural Foundation, the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and its constituent authorities, Reconciliation Australia, the National Police Ethnic Advisory Bureau, Rotary, the Returned and Services Leagues (RSL), Surf Life Saving Australia and Guides NSW

  • the work with ALGA has led to the development of new networks with local government authorities seeking to respond effectively to their culturally and linguistically diverse constituencies

  • in addition, collaboration between the department and the CMA and corporate 'partners' such as Drake, Telstra, AMP and Woolworths has served to promote the inclusive nature of Australian multiculturalism and the economic benefits of cultural and linguistic diversity and community harmony

  • the CMA delivered its mid-term report in early 2002

  • the department continued to build on the outcomes of the November 2000 Productive Diversity conference, 21st Century Business: Delivering the Diversity Dividend, through supporting greater business involvement in diversity management, and encouraging closer collaboration between business and educational institutions

  • a performance management framework for the Charter of Public Service in a Culturally Diverse Society was implemented during the year.

    All portfolio agencies now report against this framework and the results were published in the 2001 Access and Equity annual report

  • a $2.5m. extension for the Living in Harmony initiative was announced by the government in 2001-02, with $1.5m. provided to fund 37 new community grants.

    The extension also supported the celebration of Harmony Day 2002 on 21 March and six new partnerships. $3.5m. funding per year for the next four years for the Living in Harmony initiative was announced in the May 2002 Budget

  • Harmony Day 2002 provided an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on and celebrate our success as a culturally diverse and harmonious community. It received extensive positive media coverage

  • DIMIA's State and Territory offices consulted with around 4,800 community groups and individuals and government and non-government agencies to build coordinated working relationships and negotiate on matters which had the propensity to affect community harmony

  • from September 2001, regular Situation Reports were prepared on community reactions and responses to the 11 September terrorist attacks in the USA and, later, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

  • the monthly Multicultural Issues and the Community Updates reports were produced to ensure the Ministers and Executive remained aware of community issues and concerns

  • the Annual Diary of Multicultural Events was produced, launched by the Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, and distributed widely throughout Australia as a guide to dates of multicultural significance to Australia.

    For the first time significant community dates were placed on the department's web-site as the Calendar of Multicultural Events

  • the department administered a grant of $0.350m. to the FECCA to enable FECCA to provide advice to the government on the views and needs of ethnic communities in Australia.

Discretionary grants

Discretionary grants are payments where the Portfolio Minister or agency has discretion in determining whether or not an applicant receives funding and may or may not impose conditions in return for the grant.

The following discretionary grants programs were administered by DIMIA during 2001-02:

  • Multicultural affairs

  • Community Settlement Services Scheme

  • Living in Harmony grants program.

A list of grant recipients is available from the DIMIA website.

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