A new Office for Multicultural Affairs will be established within the Federal Government.
Federal Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the Office would bring together key functions within the Department of Home Affairs to more closely align policies and programs that unite Australia.
Minister Burke said the new Office would drive a national approach to a multicultural Australia, providing leadership across the three tiers of government.
“In the 50 years since the release of Australia’s first multiculturalism policy, Australia’s modern multicultural diversity has become a fundamental aspect of our identity,” he said.
“Australia’s character is multicultural. We need to ensure that all Australians have equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities to contribute to and fully participate in Australian life.”
Multicultural Affairs Minister Dr Anne Aly said the Office would help strengthen the cohesiveness of Australia’s diverse, multicultural society by engaging across whole-of-government and whole-of society interests to drive a coherent approach to multiculturalism and an inclusive society.
Minister Aly said by bringing together multiple functions into one location the Office would ensure Australian Government policies, programs and services were accessible and equitable for all including by modernising community grant programs.
She said it would also take carriage of Australia’s settlement and language services including the long-standing Adult Migrant English Program and Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National).
“Multiculturalism is not just about or for a section of our society, each and every one of us belongs to an Australia that has been enriched by our 65,000 years of First Nations culture and the successive stories, traditions and histories of those who have come across the seas.”
