The chairperson of a federal parliamentary inquiry into multiculturalism has called for the re-establishment of an independent research institute, focusing on migration to Australia.
The Bureau of Immigration, Multicultural and Population Research was shut down by the Howard Government in 1996, as part of its cuts to the public service that year.
Federal Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou says she will be pushing for the Bureau to be re-opened in her role as chairwoman of the current parliamentary inquiry into multiculturalism.
Ms Vamvakinou says she believes the Bureau could help guide immigration policy by providing governments with more reliable research data on migration.
“We’ve noted the impact of the abolition of that institute and there is a view on the committee that we need to come back to maybe recommending the re-establishment of a similar institution that could assist with research in this area and also help develop a new generation of Australians who can develop expertise in this area” she said.
The federal parliamentary inquiry into multiculturalism held its final public hearing in Melbourne yesterday.
It is expected to release its final report in August this year.