Publications, Research & Statistics

National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia

Why do we need a national agenda?

The vast majority of Australians some 93%, now accept that in a descriptive sense, Australia has become a multicultural society.

Australia's present and future interests demand that governments fully recognize the reality and implications of that cultural diversity.

it is to that end that successive Commonwealth governments, and most States, have introduced a range of multicultural policies - policies which will help us better manage our diversity in the interests of social cohesion and justice; and harness the skills, education and entrepreneurial ability of all Australians for the national good.

The Commonwealth Government has developed a clear definition of multiculturalism (see what is multiculturalism?). It has also accepted, as its underlying principles, eight goals proposed by the Advisory Council on Multicultural Affairs in 1988. These are that:

  1. All Australians should have a commitment to Australia and share responsibility for furthering our national interests.

  2. All Australians should be able to enjoy the basic right of freedom from discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion or culture.

  3. All Australians should enjoy equal life chances and have equitable access to and an equitable share of the resources which governments manage on behalf of the community.

  4. All Australians should have the opportunity fully to participate in society and in the decisions which directly affect them.

  5. All Australians should be able to develop and make use of their potential for Australia's economic and social development.

  6. All Australians should have the opportunity to acquire and develop proficiency in English and languages other than English, and to develop cross-cultural understanding.

  7. All Australians should be able to develop and share their cultural heritage.

  8. Australian institutions should acknowledge, reflect and respond to the cultural diversity of the Australian community.

The National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia builds upon these goals. it targets priority areas for action. it provides a set of concrete policy initiatives designed to meet long-term objectives.

It does this with fiscal responsibility, fully conscious of the need for budgetary restraint imposed by national economic imperatives.

It is a Commonwealth Agenda that has implications for the States but which, in the federal context of the Australian Constitution, needs to be complemented by equivalent commitments at the State level.

Australia Today
Multicultural Policies for a Multicultural Society

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