A NEW campaign calling on the Federal Government to develop a new national multicultural policy has been launched.
More than 100 organisations and individuals have signed on to support the campaign - Reclaim Multiculturalism - a push led by the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia.
Launched on November 30, the campaign is calling on the Federal Government to adopt a multiculturalism policy after the country’s last one expired in 2006.
The campaign is based around 11 principles including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are the First Australians, equality, equal dialogue, and responsibility for cross cultural and intercultural engagement.
Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia chairman Pino Migliorino said the council had submitted a policy proposal - Different but Equal - to the government.
“Since 2006 we have been waiting for the government to reaffirm its commitment to multiculturalism and a multicultural Australia,” he said. “A commitment is needed and needed now from the Australian government to reaffirm Australia’s multicultural reality by developing an agenda of key initiatives to deliver this reality.”
Organisations that have signed up in support of Reclaim Multiculturalism include the AFL Multicultural Program, Netball Australia and The Australian Human Rights Commission.
Labor senator and parliamentary secretary for immigration and citizenship, Kate Lundy, said the government was committed to multiculturalism and to a national policy.
“Earlier this year (2010), the government received advice from the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council and we will be announcing a new multicultural policy in the coming months,” she said. “Our forthcoming multicultural policy will seek to build an even more cohesive Australia and ensure our services are responsive to the needs of our diverse communities.”
Source: whereilive
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