Victoria’s government is merging its three key multicultural agencies to create one body to oversee the promotion of multicultural and social cohesion policies.

The state government says its new ‘Multicultural and Social Cohesion Division’ will work to address the needs of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers and the wider community into the future.

The division brings together the Community Resilience Unit, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, and the Office of Victorian Multicultural Commission.

The state government says it would build on previous work to enhance the independent role of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC).

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott said the move will allow the offices to share information and work closely together in a more coordinated way.

“In Victoria we don’t merely tolerate difference but celebrate it. However we must never rest on our laurels and these changes mean we are well placed for the future,” Mr Scott said.

“The new division will ensure that Victoria continues to be a strong, welcoming and vibrant multicultural community.”

Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) chair Eddie Micallef said the intent of the reorganisation was welcome and appropriate.

Eddie Micallef

“We have been informed that this will enhance the independent role of the Victorian Multicultural Commission and avoid duplication, and this is something we fully support,” he said.

“There will be three new directorates which are Settlement and Communities, Social Cohesion and Community Resilience.

“ECCV commends the Victorian Government in undertaking this comprehensive response to community needs in light of the emerging complexities facing Victoria with rising extremism at a global level.

“Multicultural policy development will be strengthened and… we believe that review acknowledged Victoria’s rich multicultural heritage as well as the need to provide robust evidence-based and streamlined decision-making.

But some leaders from diverse communities fear the move will reduce the number of voices from diverse communities being heard by policy makers.

Mr Micallef said he would “wait and see” how the new structure functioned.

“There are concerns about this but we have been assured the independence of the VMC will remain and that is very important,” he said.

A statement from Premier Daniel Andrews’ office said the amalgamation would reduce the duplication of services and provide both the government and the commission with greater access to streamlined information.

“It will also allow government to improve the way it shares knowledge, research and intelligence,” the statement said.

It said the move will provide greater clarity about the role of the VMC in the community and help it to inform government policy.

“With the rise of extremism, there are growing perceptions of threats to our safety, and changing attitudes towards multiculturalism, race and faith. The new group will work to support the community and maintain harmony in society,” the statement said.

A review, carried out by former Victorian public servant Warren McCann, found that while Victoria has a rich multicultural heritage, the state needed to take a new approach to meet the needs of the community.

The review involved extensive consultation, which included multicultural leaders, commonwealth and state officials and staff in the existing branches.

Laurie Nowell
AMES Australia Senior Journalist