National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia

National agenda initiatives

The National Agenda addresses issues of participation in a number of ways:

• First it seeks to ensure that all Australians have access to the basic resources needed to facilitate equal participation. Measures further to improve access to government programs and services and to ensure delivery of services in culturally sensitive and appropriate ways are outlined throughout this Agenda. Proficiency in English is a basic resource needed to participate effectively in Australian life. Measures to enhance and extend English language provision are also detailed.

• Second, this Agenda addresses a number of key issues in relation to participation in the labour market. A major package of measures to improve the labour market integration of people with overseas skills is outlined. A number of other measures - to improve access to education and training, to improve the delivery of employment services and labour market programs, and the English language measures referred to above will significantly enhance the labour market performance of NESB people.

• Third while this Agenda can have only a limited direct or immediate impact on participation in the non-government sector, the Commonwealth expects a number of initiatives, particularly in education and training, to yield dividends in the medium to longer term. Multicultural curriculum development and reform in both schools and higher education will have a significant impact upon people who are unfamiliar with cultural difference and upon the organisations they join.

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