Eighteen key recommendations were submitted by the Victorian government to the Parliament of Australia’s Joint Standing Committee on Migration that emphasises their committment to multicultural issues.
“The Victorian Government believes in and will continue to support a cohesive, multicultural society where all people will be treated equally regardless of their cultural, religious or linguistic background,” Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship Nicholas Kotsiras said.
Some of the recommendations include:
- introducing an Australian Multicultural Act in consultation with the states and territories which defines the principles of multiculturalism and lays the foundations for an open, united and inclusive society
- adopt an agreed set of principles of Australian multiculturalism based on Victoria’s approach as in the Multicultural Victoria Act 2011; dedicate additional funding for jurisdictions that deliver compulsory second language education for students
- develop a community education program and release a stamp issue featuring a chronological overview of immigration history to Australia that highlight the significant contribution that migrants have made to the economic, cultural and social life of our nation
- provide at no additional charge an Australian citizenship certificate to all eligible children born in Australia; establish a multicultural business advisory body in consultation with the states and territories that, amongst its terms of reference, develop a national strategy that takes advantage of our diversity
- co-ordinate settlement planning and services in Australia across the three tiers of government
