The federal government has released the Multicultural Framework Review report, which sets out an agenda to develop and protect Australia’s multicultural approach to social cohesion,

The report has made 29 recommendations, including establish a Multicultural Affairs Commission and Commissioner, and stand-alone Department of Multicultural Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship, with a dedicated minister.

It also recommends the Department of Home Affairs, through government and non-government consultation to action an immediate review of the Australian citizenship test procedures, including considering providing the test in languages other than English and in alternative and more accessible formats.

Another recommendation is to leverage Australia’s diversity of languages to support our economic prosperity through a revitalised language policy led by the Australian Government.

Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of multicultural grants and funding programs, with consultation and co-design of guidelines and common standards across the Australian Government, state and territory and local governments and community sector, is another recommendation.

Developing a national plan to celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity, to synchronise existing federal, state, territory and local government initiatives such as Harmony Week to acknowledge and celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity, is yet another.

The report, titled ‘Towards Fairness: A multicultural Australia for all’, also calls on the government to reaffirm a commitment to a multicultural Australia.

The review panel comprised Dr Bulent Hass Della, Ms Nyadol Nyuon and Ms Christine Castley and received submissions from more than 1400 individuals and 750 organisations from across Australia.

The review focused on the three key themes of: connection; identity and belonging, and; inclusion.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said the report would help to “guide Government response when developing considered multicultural policies and appropriately allocating Government resources to support multiculturalism”.

“Government will work to ensure multiculturalism is recognised as a key driver of Australia’s strong economy and democracy.

“By embracing the customs and cultures of our migrant communities, as migrants readily embrace Australian values, Government upholds that ‘This is the Australia we can build together’,” Minister Giles said.

CEO of migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia Scarth said the report was an opportunity to consolidate Australia’s commitment to multiculturalism amid rising divisiveness at home and across the world.

“Multiculturalism is at the heart of Australia’s modern identity but the high levels of social cohesion we are enjoy are not a given,” Ms Scarth said.

“We need to constantly nurture and bolster social cohesion and our multicultural institutions, both formal and informal,” she said.         

“At a time when Australia is more diverse than it has ever been, the Framework presents an opportunity to reassert our commitment to multiculturalism and to recognise the benefits it brings to all Australians.

“This is even more important at a time when divisiveness and xenophobia is on the rise across the globe,” Ms Scarth said.

See the full report here: Multicultural Framework Review (homeaffairs.gov.au)