Program 6.1 Multicultural and citizenship services

Deliverable: Provide research, evidence-based policy advice and support services to the minister and parliamentary secretary.

Result: A planning and research agenda is in place to provide evidenced-based policy and support for the government's multicultural and citizenship objectives. The department provided numerous research outputs, function briefings, submissions and draft responses to public representations to the minister and parliamentary secretary in relation to the government's policy objectives.

Deliverable: Administer the grants for community relations, grants for multicultural affairs and contribution to the Parliaments of the World's Religions.

Result: The Federation of Ethnic Communities' Council of Australia (FECCA) (community relations grant) met the milestones in its 2009–10 work plan. The milestones included promoting the benefits of cultural diversity, advocating on behalf of migrant communities (for example through a national conference in Shepparton), contributing to the implementation of the governments Access and Equity Strategy and supporting capacity-building for new and emerging communities. Parliament of the World's Religions also met the milestones under its funding agreement. The December 2009 parliament event in Melbourne was attended by about 6500 people. There were about 650 events, including keynote addresses, seminars, conferences, debates, performances, concerts and exhibitions.

Deliverable: Implement community projects through partnerships with state and territory governments.

Result: There were 19 partnership projects managed under the National Action Plan (NAP) to Build on Social Inclusion, Harmony and Security in 2009–10. Of these, two projects were completed. The remaining 17 projects are expected to be completed in the 2011 calendar year.

Deliverable: Implement the Diverse Australia Program.

Result: In 2009–10, Diverse Australia Program funding was awarded to 84 community organisations to address racism, intolerance and community disharmony.

Deliverable: Implement the National Action Plan to Build on Social Cohesion, Harmony and Security.

Result: In 2009–10, the department administered 45 NAP projects, including 20 new projects.

Deliverable: Provide support services to the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council.

Result: The department supported the council's meetings in September 2009, October 2009, December 2009, February 2010 and April 2010 and the launch of its advice to government, The People of Australia, on 30 April 2010.

Deliverable: Encourage Australian Government agency responsiveness to cultural and linguistic diversity through implementing the Access and Equity Strategy.

Result: The department is promoting good practice to agencies through the Access and Equity Strategy including presenting four seminars during 2009–10 and through community engagement. The Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia is also assisting with community consultations.

Deliverable: Deliver lawful citizenship decisions under Australian citizenship legislation.

Result: In 2009–10, 139 174 decisions on citizenship status were made.

Deliverable: Implement the government supported recommendations from the Australian Citizenship Test Review Committee's report Moving Forward. Improving Pathways to Citizenship.

Result: A new citizenship test was introduced in October 2009, supported by a revised citizenship test resource book, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, which was launched in September 2009.

Deliverable: Implement a communication strategy that promotes the value of Australian citizenship and encourages eligible non-citizens to become Australian citizens, including provision of an internet-based Citizenship Wizard.

Result: In 2009–10, the department continued the implementation of its communication strategy to promote the value of Australian citizenship. There were 428 242 visits to the online Citizenship Wizard.

Indicator: Milestones and timelines specified in funding agreements for grants met.

Result: In 2009–10, more than 95 per cent of milestones and timelines specified in funding agreements for grants were met.

Indicator: Government agencies report increased client satisfaction with the delivery of government services.

Result: The Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia surveyed and reported on the satisfaction with delivery of government services to culturally and linguistically diverse clients. The report was delivered in August 2010.

Indicator: Government services available and accessible nationwide

Result: The Access and Equity Strategy promotes the availability and accessibility of government services to culturally and linguistically diverse clients nationwide.

Indicator: Percentage of refusal decisions for Australian citizenship overturned through an appeal process.

Result: Less than 1 per cent of refusal decisions for Australian citizenship were overturned through an appeals process.

Indicator: Percentage of client conferral applications decided within service delivery standards.

Result: Up until 9 November 2009, the service standard for conferral applications was to decide 90 per cent within 90 days. On 9 November 2009, a new business process was introduced with a new service standard, which was to decide 80 per cent of conferral applications within 60 days. Under the old business process and service standard, 89.2 per cent of cases were decided within 90 days. Under the new business process and service standard, 80.3 per cent of cases were decided within 60 days.

Indicator: Increased awareness of, and interest in, Australian citizenship.

Result: In 2009–10, there were 428 242 visits to the department's online Citizenship Wizard. Applications for citizenship by conferral increased by 12 per cent on the 2008–09 result.