Australian Multiculturalism for a New Century: Towards Inclusiveness
Summary of recommendations
The continuing importance of multiculturalism
- Australian society has undergone an enormous amount of change in the space of a single generation, and faces more crucial decisions. The Council recommends continued government support for Australian multiculturalism as a fundamental requirement and opportunity arising out of the cultural diversity of Australian society, and that this commitment be reflected in all government policies.
The meaning of multiculturalism
- The Council believes that the term 'multiculturalism’ has served the Australian community well and best describes our positive acceptance of the reality and significance of our cultural diversity and the proactive approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities arising from it. While the term has drawn criticism from some segments of the community, and this is reflected in some of the submissions the Council has received, it believes there is no alternative noun that would work better. Also, any alternative term would soon attract similar criticism from those critical of the term or policy of multiculturalism.
For all these reasons the Council recommends the retention of the term 'multiculturalism’.
- Further, in order to recognise that our implementation of multiculturalism is unique and reflects Australia’s diverse heritage, history, democracy, culture and identity, it recommends that the prefix 'Australian’ be used whenever appropriate.
- The Council recommends the adoption of the following definition of Australian multiculturalism:
Australian multiculturalism is a term which recognises and celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It accepts and respects the right of all Australians to express and share their individual cultural heritage within an overriding commitment to Australia and the basic structures and values of Australian democracy. It also refers to the strategies, policies and programs that are designed to:
- make our administrative, social and economic infrastructure more responsive to the rights, obligations and needs of our culturally diverse population;
- promote social harmony among the different cultural groups in our society;
- optimise the benefits of our cultural diversity for all Australians.
- The Council recommends that the definition of Australian multiculturalism be clearly explained through a communication strategy that is designed to reach as many individuals and groups of the Australian community as possible.
A vision for Australian multiculturalism
- The Council recommends the adoption of the following vision for Australian multiculturalism: 'a united and harmonious Australia, built on the foundations of our democracy, and developing its continually evolving nationhood by recognising, embracing, valuing and investing in its heritage and cultural diversity’.
Multiculturalism and Australian democracy
Australian citizenship and 'citizenship’
- The Council believes there is a close and positive relationship between multiculturalism and the legal status of Australian citizenship as well as the wider concept of 'citizenship’ which refers to membership of the Australian community that is enjoyed by Australian citizens and permanent residents. 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 recommends 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.
- The Council commends the work of the Discovering Democracy program developed within the Education, Training and Youth Affairs portfolio, which supports civics and citizenship education in schools and the wider community. The Council recommends that the program be used to reach as many Australians as possible. The Council intends providing input into the future development of this program to ensure that the cultural diversity of our society and its benefits as well as the meaning and value of multiculturalism receive appropriate emphasis.
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. 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 Council recommends that any communication strategy highlights the positive and mutually supportive relationship between Australian culture and Australian multiculturalism.
Multiculturalism for all Australians
Inclusiveness
- Multiculturalism in its inclusive sense is crucial to our developing nationhood and Australian identity.
The Council recommends that future multicultural policies and strategies give high priority to the notion and promotion of inclusiveness.
It is important to correct the misconception that multiculturalism is concerned mainly with immigration and minority ethnic communities. Multiculturalism is about and for all Australians, and it is important that it 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 recommends that the National Council for the Centenary of Federation, with which it has initiated discussions, as well as all government and other bodies in the public, private and community sectors involved in preparations for the Centenary, ensure that the transformation of Australia from a somewhat insular and largely Anglo-Celtic white society to one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, is given the prominence it deserves.
The experience and contribution of Australians from all over the world in the course of this transformation should be appropriately celebrated and commemorated in the events and lasting memorials that mark the Centenary. Full advantage should be taken of the outstanding opportunity that the Centenary celebrations provide to highlight the transition of Australian multiculturalism towards the greater inclusiveness recommended by the Council.
Additionally, the interest generated by the Centenary should be used to promote educational programs to make all Australians more aware of our cultural heritage starting with indigenous people to European settlement to modern multicultural Australia, as well as our political history including the development of our democratic system, the creation of the Australian nation in 1901 and the progress leading to the Centenary.
- The Council notes that the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Act 1991 ceases to be in force on 1 January 2001. The Council is particularly keen to support the achievements of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation up to and beyond this date.
The Council therefore recommends that individuals as well as government, private and community organisations commit themselves to carry forward the work of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation by working to help to improve respect, trust and understanding between indigenous and other Australians.
For its part, the Council is committed to supporting ongoing community education activities, speaker exchanges between community organisations, involvement in cultural activities, the development of joint enterprises or partnerships, and reciprocal membership of community organisations.
- The Council notes that the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation has established that 'there is broad community support for a formal reconciliation agreement. A majority of people believes that an agreement would improve relations between indigenous Australians and the wider community. Strong community support has also been shown for 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 recommends 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.
- The Council recommends that future multicultural policies and strategies give high priority to outreach strategies that build bridges of understanding and mutual interest among individuals and groups of different cultural backgrounds, including between groups whose members are drawn from specific ethnic and indigenous cultures and more general community bodies.
A call for leadership
- Because of the pervasive influence of multiculturalism on the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of all Australians, now and in the future, it warrants and demands leadership and positive, proactive support and commitment by political, public service, business and community leaders, educators, the media and individual Australians.
Without such leadership, divisive and intolerant views and attitudes can spread to the point where they threaten community harmony, causing significant social and economic stress, and even serious damage.
On the other hand, through strong leadership, the benefits of our diversity can be accelerated and maximised, and enjoyed and celebrated by all Australians. While it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that appropriate policies are in place, in the final analysis it is the people who make them work.
The Council therefore recommends that future multicultural strategies and policies give high priority to raising awareness of the critical importance of leadership, in all walks of life, for the harmony and wellbeing of our culturally diverse society.
- The Council believes that the active support of successive governments, irrespective of political persuasion, has been a major factor in the success of multiculturalism in Australia.
It is essential that such broad-based political support is maintained because any politicians or parties seeking to form government, or to influence government policy, must ensure that their policies are sensitive to the diverse community they are designed to assist.
Failure to do so would be a moral failure, an affront to the strong sense of justice and fair play of the Australian people, and would pose a serious threat to community harmony and the integrity of our democratic system in a culturally diverse society.
This is why the Council urges and recommends to all responsible political leaders that they not lend support to or confer any political respectability or credibility on individuals or parties that espouse policies that violate the spirit of the Joint Parliamentary Statement of 30 October 1996. There should be no scope for political expediency to override moral principle.
- The Council recognises that adversarial debate is a fundamental component of our Parliamentary system and serves to ensure Government accountability.
However, the Council urges all Parliamentary parties throughout Australia, particularly those in Government and Opposition, to seek common ground in relation to multicultural policy and to avoid political point-scoring that would send wrong signals to the community and might damage community harmony.
The Council notes that the 1989 National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia enjoyed political consensus and strongly recommends that all responsible parties, particularly those in Government and Opposition, work together so that the ongoing development of multiculturalism enjoys a similar consensus.
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