Commission believes that improving the representation of cultural diversity in leadership and in the media would strengthen Australia’s multiculturalism. Australians benefit from a clearer understanding of what is meant by multiculturalism both in theory and in practice. This could develop from a – more comprehensive civics education, including through the formal school curriculum. Parliament may also be well positioned to clarify the meaning of multiculturalism in Australia. The Commission has an institutional and legislated role in strengthening Australia’s commitment to anti-discrimination within a human rights framework. The Commission receives and investigates complaints from individuals who allege that their human rights have been breached or that they have been discriminated against in an area of public life such as employment or education, including with respect to race. The Commission also engages in a range of programs and activities to challenge discrimination and uphold race relations and community harmony. Recommendations Recommendation 1: That the Government continue to support a policy of multiculturalism as a means of promoting social cohesion, cultural harmony and national unity. Recommendation 2: That the Government consider strengthening the policy machinery of Australian multiculturalism, including through the establishment of an Office of Multicultural Affairs. Recommendation 3: That the Government recognise the importance of maintaining effective protections against racial discrimination and hatred in setting a standard for public conduct in a multicultural society. Recommendation 4: That the Government investigate ways of collecting more comprehensive data on racially motivated crimes. An appropriate government authority, such as the Australian Institute of Criminology, be mandated to collect and report on national data. Recommendation 5: That the Government recognise that Australian race relations and community harmony can be profoundly influenced by the tone of public debate about immigration, multiculturalism and national security. Recommendation 6: That the Government investigate ways of collecting more comprehensive data on issues concerning multiculturalism, including with respect to cultural diversity in Australian workplaces. That the Government consider strengthening public education Recommendation 7: about multiculturalism, including through the school curriculum. Recommendation 8: That the Parliament consider periodic public statements, which can affirm parliamentarians’ recognition of a multicultural Australia.
Commission believes that improving the representation of cultural diversity in leadership and in the media would strengthen Australia’s multiculturalism. Australians benefit from a clearer understanding of what is meant by multiculturalism – both in theory and in practice. This could develop from a more comprehensive civics education, including through the formal school curriculum. Parliament may also be well positioned to clarify the meaning of multiculturalism in Australia. The Commission has an institutional and legislated role in strengthening Australia’s commitment to anti-discrimination within a human rights framework. The Commission receives and investigates complaints from individuals who allege that their human rights have been breached or that they have been discriminated against in an area of public life such as employment or education, including with respect to race. The Commission also engages in a range of programs and activities to challenge discrimination and uphold race relations and community harmony. Recommendations Recommendation 1: That the Government continue to support a policy of multiculturalism as a means of promoting social cohesion, cultural harmony and national unity. Recommendation 2: That the Government consider strengthening the policy machinery of Australian multiculturalism, including through the establishment of an Office of Multicultural Affairs. Recommendation 3: That the Government recognise the importance of maintaining effective protections against racial discrimination and hatred in setting a standard for public conduct in a multicultural society. Recommendation 4: That the Government investigate ways of collecting more comprehensive data on racially motivated crimes. An appropriate government authority, such as the Australian Institute of Criminology, be mandated to collect and report on national data. Recommendation 5: That the Government recognise that Australian race relations and community harmony can be profoundly influenced by the tone of public debate about immigration, multiculturalism and national security. Recommendation 6: That the Government investigate ways of collecting more comprehensive data on issues concerning multiculturalism, including with respect to cultural diversity in Australian workplaces. Recommendation 7: That the Government consider strengthening public education about multiculturalism, including through the school curriculum. Recommendation 8: That the Parliament consider periodic public statements, which can affirm parliamentarians’ recognition of a multicultural Australia.
20170519_AHRC_Submission_Strengthening_Multiculturalism.docx