ETHNIC COMMUNITIES COUNCIL OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Multicultural Framework Review : Preliminary Scope of Examination
Preamble
The cultural and linguistic fabric of Australia has never been more diverse, as attested by the 2021 census, revealing that over half of the Australian populace are either immigrants or have at least one parent born overseas. Furthermore, a significant 22.8% of the population communicates in a language other than English within their homes. The continual influx of global citizens adds a rich palette of backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and unique strengths, augmenting Australia's dynamic cultural mosaic. An inclusive Australia, devoid of barriers and fostering equal service to all, is pivotal in realizing the nation's ultimate potential and establishing itself as a global front-runner in the post-pandemic world.
Australia, over time, has built a robust legacy of successful multiculturalism rooted in the appreciation and celebration of our nation's diversity. In 1973, Australia's multicultural policy acknowledged the advantages of cultural diversity and embarked on a journey to shape a just, inclusive, and socially cohesive society. This path was navigated on the bedrock of a bipartisan vision and a well-coordinated policy framework, led by the Office of Multicultural Affairs established in 1986.
Now, fifty years forward, as Australia continues to embrace a dynamic surge of immigrants, the federal multicultural policy framework has not been accorded the focus it merits. The inability of policy frameworks and service delivery models to evolve and address the multicultural population's necessities has led to relatively poorer social, economic, and health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the severe consequences of a disjointed and feeble approach to maintaining the systems and frameworks crucial to upholding multiculturalism. Reflecting on the pandemic's aftermath and Australia's escalating diversity, the country cannot afford to overlook the potential benefits of a holistic governmental approach to multiculturalism, nor the risks posed by a disjointed one.
Prospects for Transformation
The government's proclamation of the Multicultural Framework Review is a welcome development. It provides an avenue to evaluate current institutional arrangements and policy guidelines concerning multiculturalism and to offer advice to the government on the essential parameters to fortify Australia's multicultural fabric over the forthcoming decade.
To preserve Australia's successful multicultural heritage and establish a prosperous future where everyone can belong and thrive equally, a robust and synchronized whole-of-government approach is indispensable. We anticipate the review to culminate in powerful, effective, and inclusive multicultural policy and institutional configurations at the Commonwealth Government level, supported by a national dedication to multiculturalism with robust bipartisan backing. The review must be comprehensive and engage meaningfully with multicultural communities' inaccessible ways to unlock the full potential of diverse cultures, languages, life experiences, skills, and strengths.
Guidelines for the Review
For the successful design and execution of the Review, we propose the following considerations to ensure the development of responsive institutional and policy settings catering to Australia's diversity
The principles of 'diversity within diversity' and 'intersectionality' should form the crux of the review process and outcomes. It is essential to recognize that multicultural individuals or communities often face discrimination and disadvantages impacted by multiple identity markers such as age, gender, sexual orientation, impairment, class, religion, and visa status. The interplay of these identities often results in compounded disadvantages, not due to the diverse identities themselves, but systemic exclusion, creating deep-rooted forms of disadvantage. The review should explore how current and future multicultural policies, frameworks, and strategies intersect with other federal policies, frameworks, and strategies.
The principles of 'diversity within diversity' and 'intersectionality' should form the crux of the review process and outcomes. It is essential to recognize that multicultural individuals or communities often face discrimination and disadvantages impacted by multiple identity markers such as age, gender, sexual orientation, impairment, class, religion, and visa status. The interplay of these identities often results in compounded disadvantages, not due to the diverse identities themselves, but systemic exclusion, creating deep-rooted forms of disadvantage. The review should explore how current and future multicultural policies, frameworks, and strategies intersect with other federal policies, frameworks, and strategies.
The review should engage with communities in a meaningful, effective, and inclusive manner, and should be allocated adequate resources to do so. Community engagement should extend beyond traditional community consultations and public submissions to reach underserved communities often left unheard.
The review should engage with communities in a meaningful, effective, and inclusive manner, and should be allocated adequate resources to do so. Community engagement should extend beyond traditional community consultations and public submissions to reach underserved communities often left unheard.
The review should analyse national shortcomings in collecting data around cultural, ethnic, and linguistic diversity. The development of consistent and accurate measures of cultural,
ethnic, and linguistic diversity is critical for obtaining comprehensive, relevant, accessible, and valuable data. This will ensure the research truly reflects Australia's cultural diversity and is useful for the design, implementation, and evaluation of policies and programs.We support the draft Terms of Reference, proposing the following amendments:
Proposed Adjustments to the Draft Terms of Reference
We support the draft Terms of Reference, proposing the following amendments:
The efficacy of existing federal legislative and regulatory frameworks, policy settings and programs, interactions with communities, and services designed to support multicultural Australia needs to be considered. This includes their interaction with state and local government settings.
The effectiveness of current federal diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies should be evaluated to ensure that the Australian Public Service workforce mirrors multicultural Australia.
The roles and functions of government and non-government organizations need to be evaluated, considering appropriate relationships between them for effective planning and provision of programs and services to multicultural communities.
Identifying areas for reform to address any systemic barriers preventing people from multicultural communities from participating in Australian society, including second-generation plus migrants.
Additionally, we propose a further Tare oR to identify the effectiveness of current diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies that are being implemented by state and territory governments to explore what can be adopted for implementation federally.
As WA’s peak body for ethnic organisations, ECCWA is dedicated to advocating for cultural understanding and inclusivity. ECCWA welcomes the Government's Multicultural Framework Review. We look forward to actively participating in the consultation process, contributing our diverse experiences and insights. We are confident that our involvement will support the creation of an inclusive framework that truly reflects Australia's multicultural society.