The Federal Government has been handed the Multicultural Framework Review’s report yesterday (24 July), the largest comprehensive review of multicultural policy since the Whitlam Government’s landmark paper in 1973.
It sets out 29 recommendations and 10 high priority recommendations, including establishing a Multicultural Affairs Commission and standalone ministry for Multicultural Affairs, reviewing English language citizenship testing procedures and boosting NAATI interpreter funding.
Alongside the review, the Albanese government has pledged over $100 million towards the implementation of these recommendations, including improved language services, amenities for multicultural organisations and greater community engagement.
Andrew Giles, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, hopes the review will help update multicultural policy for modern Australia since former Immigration Minister Al Grassby’s 1973 paper.
“The Multicultural Framework Review renews and reinterprets Mr Grassby’s paper for our times. Among many important insights, it notes the vital role of education, English language learning and effective translation services in ensuring that all Australians can enjoy the benefits of this country,” Minister Giles notes in his online statement.
“I invite all Australians to read the report and the Government’s response, and to contribute to this vital debate about Australia’s future.”
Violet Roumeliotis, CEO of Melbourne-based not-for-profit Settlement Services International (SSI) has praised the review.
“We commend both the Federal Government and the review panel for delivering this comprehensive roadmap that will build on Australia’s strong multicultural foundations,” she says.
The completion of a process announced over a year ago, the review titled ‘Towards Fairness – a multicultural Australia for all’ seeks to assess the health of Australia’s multiculturalism and address the challenges facing modern Australia.
The review panel consulted over 1430 individuals and 750 organisations, including First Nations organisations, with one sixth of the submissions received in languages other than English.
“It’s particularly heartening to see a strong focus on integrating lived experience and ensuring the voices of multicultural Australia are involved in the co-design and development of these initiatives,” Roumeliotis says.
The report recognises the need to better embed multiculturalism across a wide range of industries and services, making recommendations to better cater for CALD communities within the Australian Public Service, aged care sector, Creative Australia, NDIS and Australian school curriculum.
The review also recommends building multicultural communities’ understanding of First Nations history and culture, following the key positioning of these communities in last year’s Voice Referendum.
‘Towards Fairness.’
Long way to go, but an important aspiration against which to measure Australian Government policy and society.
Multicultural Framework Review attached.
Australian Multicultural Council. https://t.co/zNkchT6YFd
— Craig Foster (@Craig_Foster) July 24, 2024
“It has been decades since we’ve seen a review of this nature. If implemented, these changes would offer a reset so that multiculturalism and multicultural policy reflect the Australia of this century, not the last,” Roumeliotis says.
Minister Giles is optimistic the Review will shape Australia’s understanding and policy around multiculturalism for the better in the coming years.
“Multiculturalism is one of the great successes of modern Australia, but there is still much work remaining to ensure all communities feel safe and proud of who they are, regardless of their religious, ethnic, or cultural background,” he said at the report’s launch yesterday.
“The Review writes a new chapter in our multicultural story and will inform how we can work together to achieve a vibrant, prosperous multicultural future.”
For the full report, visit the Multicultural Framework Review website.
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