Australian Multiculturalism for a New Century: Towards Inclusiveness
Introduction and summary (continued)
Multiculturalism and concepts of 'citizenship’
The Council believes that it is important to explore the relationship between multiculturalism and concepts of 'citizenship’.
Throughout this report the terms Australian Citizen and Australian Citizenship are used when referring to the legal status defined in the Australian Citizenship Act 1948.
The terms 'citizen’ and 'citizenship’ are used when referring to membership of the wider Australian community which is shared by Australian Citizens and permanent residents, and to the rights and obligations that flow from such membership including the desirable civic values of the community.
In its legal sense Australian Citizenship dates from 26 January 1949, when the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 came into force and the status of 'Australian Citizen’ came into existence.
The establishment of Australian Citizenship was an important practical and symbolic step in the development of Australian nationhood.
It provided a distinct status of being 'Australian’ and a legal basis for full and formal membership of the Australian nation.
Australian Citizenship has played an important unifying role in the development of Australia’s nationhood and the modern multicultural society which has evolved with it.
The Council believes it is highly desirable for Australian permanent residents to acquire Australian Citizenship when they become eligible to do so, and has recommended the active promotion of the benefits of Australian Citizenship to encourage its take-up.
However, it must be recognised that permanent residents, who are not yet eligible for or have not yet chosen to acquire Australian Citizenship, are nonetheless members of the Australian community and have all the rights and obligations of Australian Citizens except those that arise exclusively from Australian Citizenship.*
* For details, see Appendix F
An aspect of the debate of more direct interest to the Council is the relationship between 'citizenship’ and multiculturalism.
The combined phrase 'multicultural citizenship’ has been used by some writers while others argue that the concept of multiculturalism should give way to that of 'citizenship’.
In the Council’s view, the concepts are interlinked but each is important in its own right. 'Citizenship’ should be primarily seen as a bond or glue, consisting of shared membership in a political community – a commitment to the Constitution and the laws, the rights and obligations and the core values and practices of Australian democracy.
This expanded idea of 'citizenship’ does not negate the place and role of Australian multiculturalism as defined in this report.
Instead, the Council sees the relationship between 'citizenship’ and multiculturalism as symbiotic and complementary.
In fact, the reason Australian multiculturalism is able to make our diversity a great resource for all Australians is precisely because, at its core, are the same values that are embedded in the notion of 'citizenship’, including respect of difference, tolerance and a commitment to freedom and equal opportunity.
Nor does multiculturalism represent a threat to unity because, while our democracy gives all 'citizens’ the freedom to retain cherished traditions and customs, it also requires an overriding commitment to Australia’s national interests.
Multiculturalism will also enhance unity further as it develops the increased inclusiveness recommended in this report.
Multiculturalism and Australian culture
A strongly expressed view in some of the public submissions from respondents who claim 'Anglo’ or 'old Australia’ heritage is that multiculturalism is a negative and divisive feature of Australian society, creating disdain for people of Anglo-Celtic origins and denigrating Australian culture by promoting other cultures as more worthy.
They argue that this contributes to a general sense of unease and causes unacceptable levels of separateness in society.
While acknowledging that the assimilationist policies of the past asked too much of migrants, these respondents criticised multiculturalism for asking too much of Australian-born people and not enough of migrants.
The Council respects the people expressing these concerns but believes their views reflect an incorrect perception of multiculturalism, pointing to an important communication strategy priority.
Australian culture is dynamic. It starts with and retains its links to our total heritage, but is not a fossilised entity which remains static from the time a particular group sets foot on Australian soil.
Rather, it is a living, changing and interacting set of life patterns. It has been modified and enhanced by the arrival of many migrant groups.
It continues to be developed by the evolution of ideas and customs within Australia and by global influences.
The freedom that our democracy guarantees includes the freedom to express and maintain one’s cultural and artistic preferences.
Of course cultural maintenance is not something aimed at simply maintaining a cultural status quo, but includes the development of new and evolving cultural practices.
The Council therefore considers that Australian multiculturalism, far from denying Australian culture, is in fact one of its major achievements.
In turn, multiculturalism is an integral dimension of Australian culture and is helping to shape that culture.
The positive and mutually supportive relationship between Australian culture and Australian multiculturalism should be highlighted in a communication strategy.
Multiculturalism for all Australians
The Council believes that, for the coming decade, which will see the start of our second century as a nation, Australian multiculturalism should have 'inclusiveness’ as a major focus.
Multiculturalism in its inclusive sense is crucial to our developing nationhood and Australian identity.
It should emphasise the things that unite us as a people - our common membership of the Australian community; our shared desire for social harmony; the benefits of our diversity; our evolving national character and identity.
By emphasising the inclusive nature of the concept and practice of Australian multiculturalism, the Council is seeking to correct the misconception that it is concerned mainly with immigration and minority ethnic communities.
The Council strongly endorses the view that multiculturalism is about and for all Australians and that it is crucially concerned with our present and evolving 'citizenship’, national character and identity.
The Council views multiculturalism as relevant to all Australians, both as a description of the kind of culturally diverse society we seek and as a public policy.
It is an important objective, therefore, that multiculturalism seeks to embrace and be embraced by all Australians.
It must be seen as relevant to the interests of all sectors of the Australian community: our original inhabitants, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as all other Australians, whether born here or overseas and whether of English- or non-English-speaking origin.
The Council believes it is very important and appropriate to specifically acknowledge the role the receiving community, comprising both Australian and overseas born, has played, particularly over the last 50 years, in welcoming migrants from all over the world, thus helping to build modern multicultural Australia.
While the receiving community has itself become progressively more multicultural, Australians whose origin is wholly or partly from Great Britain and Ireland can take special pride in their heritage for its substantive contribution to the development and success of Australian society.
This is exemplified in the underlying philosophy and principles and the essential components of Australia’s democratic system, which is the foundation on which our society has been built, and in our special social values of mateship and a fair go, which contribute so much to community harmony.
The Council also believes it needs to stress its deep concern about the state of relations between indigenous people and the wider community.
Indigenous people have suffered much injustice and oppression and as a group continue to suffer significant disadvantage relative to the rest of the Australian community.
In the Council’s view, it should be a matter of the highest priority, for both moral and practical reasons, that all Australians now address these fundamental issues which must be resolved fairly and honourably if we are to achieve true reconciliation.
The Council notes that the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation supports a new Constitutional preamble which would acknowledge the unique status of indigenous people and their original ownership of this land.
The Council notes that the Government has agreed to hold a referendum on this matter in conjunction with the November 1999 referendum on an Australian Republic.
The Council has recommended that any revision of the preamble of the Australian Constitution incorporates recognition of the diverse backgrounds of the Australian people, including such acknowledgment of the unique status of our indigenous people.
To promote inclusiveness further the Council proposes that priority be given to outreach strategies that build bridges among individuals and groups of different cultural backgrounds.
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