Asia Institute Tasmania | College of Arts, Law and Education - PowerPoint Presentation

Asia Institute Tasmania | College of Arts, Law and Educationwww.utas.edu.au/asia-institute Multicultural Policy in Tasmania A forum to discuss future opportunities

Multicultural Affairs and Social CohesionA forum to discuss future opportunities in TasmaniaThe Victorian experience Hakan Akyol, Director, Community Participation Branch July 2017

Presentation Overview1. A short history of our journey towards multiculturalism2. Demographics 3. Benefits and challenges of multiculturalism4. Victorian Government programs5. Conclusion6. Q&A

1900 – 1965 Assimilation Policy 1966 – 1973 Integration 1973 – Multicultural Policy Review of Post-arrival Programs and Services to Migrants (Chaired F. Galbally ) 1978 1973 Al Grassby specifically referred to multiculturalism 1979 Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs (AIMA) est. in legislation National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia 1989 Govt’s policy 1999 Australian Multiculturalism for a New Century: Towards Inclusiveness (NMAC) / New Agenda for Multicultural Australia – The Govt’s response 2003 Review of Settlement Services 2003 Multicultural Australia: United in DiversityUpdating the 1999 New Agenda for Multicultural AustraliaGovt’s strategic directions for 2003-06: community harmonyAccess & EquityProductive Diversity 1986 Future Directions for Multiculturalism (AIMA) /AIMA Act repealed and 1987 OMA est. in DPM&C Evolution of Commonwealth’s approach to Multicultural Affairs aka “White Australia” Policy 1977 Australia as a Multicultural Society report by Australian Ethnic Affairs Council recommends a public policy of multiculturalism 1995 Multicultural Australia – The Next Steps – Towards & Beyond 2000 (NMAC) /Our Nation: Multicultural Australia & the 21st Century (Govt) 2008 Australian Multicultural Advisory Council (AMAC) est. 2010 AMAC’s People of Australia Statement & Recs/2011 Federal Govt response 2011 The People of Australia – Australia’s Multicultural Policy released. 2016 National Settlement Framework 2017 Multicultural Australia – United, Strong, Successful- Multicultural policy statement released from Commonwealth DSS website – www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/settlement-and-multicultural-affairs/publications/fact-sheet-australias-multicultural-policy)

Victorian Ethnic Affairs Commission established through the Ethnic Affairs Commission Act 1983 1996 EAC Act amended to VMC Act Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 enacted Evolution of Victoria’s Approach to Multicultural Affairs Multicultural Affairs Unit est . (replacing Ethnic Affairs Unit) Office of Ethnic Affairs est. out of EAC (circa 1991) 2002 Valuing Cultural Diversity Policy released 2004 Multicultural Victoria Act (MVA) enacted1996 The PledgeA set of Multicultural Principles/Values 1976 Govt est. Ministry for Immigration & Ethnic Affairs 2009 All of UsPolicy released 2014 Victoria’s Advantage policy released 2017 Victorian. And Proud of it. released 2002 Victorian Awards for Multicultural Excellence est. 2003 Cultural Diversity Week est. 2015 Social Cohesion & Community Resilience Taskforce est. 2011 MVA amended

Victoria’s Multicultural Affairs Portfolio Multicultural Affairs Portfolio Victorian Multicultural Commission Statutory Authority under MVA 2011 12 Commissioners 8 Regional Advisory Councils Conduit between communities and government Undertakes community consultations Advocacy on multicultural issues Cultural Diversity Week Research & submissionsMulticultural Affairs & Social Cohesion (MASC) Division (within DPC)Policy development & adviceProgram delivery Grant programsDemographic dataBranchesOffice of Victorian Multicultural CommissionCommunications, Corporate & Community GrantsCommunity Resilience and Social InclusionCommunity Participation

State LegislationVictoria Multicultural Victoria Act 2011 first enacted in 2004 – noting that the Ethnic Affairs Commission Act was first enacted in 1983The Act incorporates:Preamble & Principles pf multiculturalismThe Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC, and its 8 Regional Advisory Councils) Whole-of-Government Reporting Requirements for departments Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 Other states Multicultural NSW Act 2000 (amended in 2014) – originally Ethnic Affairs Act 1979 South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission Act, 1980 Queensland – Multicultural Recognition Act 2016

MVA 2011 Preamble(1) The Parliament recognises and values the cultural, religious, racial and linguistic diversity of the people of Victoria. (2) The Parliament further recognises that one of the central tenets of multiculturalism is citizenship and that the expression citizenship is not limited to formal Australian citizenship, but refers to the rights and responsibilities of all people in a multicultural society.(3) The Parliament wishes to promote Victoria as a united community with shared laws, values, aspirations and responsibilities within which people from a diversity of backgrounds have— (a) the freedom and opportunity to preserve and express their cultural heritage; and(b) the freedom and opportunity to participate and contribute to the social, cultural, economic and political life of Victoria; and (c) equal rights and responsibilities under the laws of Victoria.The Parliament of Victoria therefore enacts.

Multicultural Community / Stakeholders Significant Community Infrastructure More than 3,000 ethno-specific, multicultural community organisations with almost 2,000 such organisations receiving some level of support through the grants program Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) Core funding of approx $400,000 per annumRegional ECCsMulticultural / Ethno-specific Service Providers, peak bodies, for example: Centre for Multicultural Youth, ADEC, VICSEG Migrant resource centres ( Diversitat , New Hope Foundation, Spectrum, Southern MRC, North West MRC, etc.) Various government advisory entities, including: Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) VMC 8 Regional Advisory Councils Multifaith Advisory Group / Multicultural Youth NetworkMinisterial Advisory Council on Multicultural Affairs (MACMA)African Ministerial Working GroupChinese Community RoundtableMulticultural Business Ministerial Council

Demography: Victoria’s cultural diversity is growing

Victoria’s cultural diversity is growing For further info: (noting that at this stage 2011 Census will be updated in the coming months) Top 100 community/country fact sheets (2 pagers ) Top 100 community profiles (40+ pages)Diversity by LGAsStatewidewww.multicultural.vic.gov.au/population-and-migration/victorias-diversity

Global context of % born overseasVictoria 28.4% Australia 26% New Zealand 23%Canada 22%Greater Geelong 15.9% (regional Vic)Germany 15% United States 14%Latrobe 13.7% (regional Vic)Greater Shepparton 13.2% (regional Vic)United Kingdom 13% Tasmania 12.0% (with 23.5% born overseas or born in Australia with at least one parent born overseas) France 12% Average for the OECD was 12% Mildura 10.1% (regional Vic) Note: Australian stats – 2016 Census; Overseas – 2015 OECD .

Benefits/Opportunities & Challenges of DiversityKey opportunities/benefits Melbourne’s diversity has contributed towards its most livable city statusDrive economic, social and cultural development Leverage multicultural diversity to enhance international engagement and build the economy Cultural and social benefits Innovation and creativity Challenges Settlement of new arrivals including in regional / rural areas Access to culturally responsive servicesEconomic inclusion and social participationSupport to empower young peopleRespond to the needs of ageing culturally diverse communities Challenges from international, national and local events and factors

Cultural Diversity: an opportunity for corporate Australia As we become more interconnected through globalisation , multiculturalism is increasingly becoming everybody’s business

VMC VICTORIAN MULTICULTURAL COMMISSION Economic Benefits

Scanlan Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion Surveys:83.4% agree that multiculturalism has been good for Australia and 12% disagree (2016 Survey);59% consider that levels of immigration is ‘about right’ or ‘too low’; with relatively low levels of concern @ 34% agree that the intake is ‘too high’ (lowest level of the Scanlon surveys between 2007 and 2016) – (2016 Survey) However, some measures are of concern, e.g. Experience of discriminationVictoria is doing better than most jurisdictions: ‘Multiculturalism has been good for Australia’ Response: ‘Strongly Agree’ 2014 Why stronger in Victoria? Prof Andrew Marcus, lead researcher of the surveys attributes to 3 factors: Strong bipartisan support Relatively greater geographic distribution of migrants/refugees Targeted grants and programs For further info: http ://scanlonfoundation.org.au/home/ VIC NSWWASAQLD43.233.939.834.234.2Social Cohesion

Victorian Programs & GrantsMulticultural Affairs Portfolio Budget History

Multicultural Affairs Portfolio Programs & Grants CALD Family Violence Response $2.25m per annum Interpreting Services Reform $21.8m over 4 yrs Social Cohesion & Community Resilience $25m over 4 yrs Multicultural Access Program $0.5m per annum Migrant Workers Centre$1m per annum over 2 yrsPromoting Harmony(Multicultural Policy Statement)$19m over 3 yrs

Community Infrastructure & Cultural Precincts Fund

Departmental Reporting & ActivitiesWhole-of-Government Reporting on Multicultural Affairs as required through the Multicultural Victoria Act 2011Annual reporting by government departments and agencies on their range of programs and servicesmost recent 2015-16 report available at: www.multicultural.vic.gov.au Specific reporting required on: Language services Multicultural media spend Cultural diversity plans Representation on boards and committeesAlmost 30 other measures

Programs across Government Jobs Victoria Employment Network ($53m over three years) - to assist disadvantaged job seekers into work, including those from multicultural, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds - $6m specifically targeted towards multicultural communities – but preliminary data indicates close to 50% of participants were overseas born Recruit Smarter Initiative 18 month pilot program engaging public, private and non-government sectors to address unconscious bias in recruitment with University of Melbourne’s Centre for Ethical Leadership as a research partner. Education Refugee Education Support Program ($2.4m in 2015-16) Community Languages Schools Program ($7.4m in 2015-16 funding 170 accredited community language schools covering more than 40 languages to approximately 36,000 students); and the Unity through Diversity: The Victorian Government's Vision for Civics, Citizenship and Multicultural Education

Programs across Government (continued) Health:Refugee Health Program ($5.53m in 2015-16) operates in community health services in 18 local government areas Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture ($1.97m) granted to provide a range of health services and support to survivors of torture & trauma.A range of targeted aged care programs Victoria PoliceMulticultural Liaison Officers & New & Emerging Liaison Officer Network program Recruitment Campaign to attract applicants of culturally diverse backgrounds Consumer Affairs Victoria provided $3.2m to a range of targeted programs Skilled & Business Migration Program ($2.5m) aims to attract investor, business and skilled migrants with capital, entrepreneurial skills and knowledge to contribute to the Victorian economy. Interpreting expenditure: approx $44m in 2015-16 across Government

Multicultural Legislation and Policies2001 Racial and Religious Tolerance Act enacted 2002 Valuing Cultural Diversity Policy2004 Multicultural Victoria Act (MVA) enacted2009 All of Us Policy2011 MVA amended2014 Valuing Cultural Diversity 2017 Victorian. And Proud of It.

The New Policy - Victorian. And Proud of it. A new strategic whole-of-Government approach including development of a new whole-of-Government multicultural affairs policy framework was released in February 2017Designed to facilitate Social inclusion and equality of opportunityEconomic participationAcceptance and belongingKey ComponentsShift the debate to a more positive narrative around shared values and introduce the Victorian Values Statement and Multicultural Affairs Outcome Framework 75 initiatives across Government Communications Campaign Launch communications campaign ‘ Victorian. And Proud of It’ focusing on belonging and contribution.Campaign has incorporated television, print, media, outdoor, digital and social media channels.

Victorian Values Statement The heart of the multicultural policy statement

Victorian. And Proud of it.Whole of Government Multicultural Affairs Outcomes Framework Vision Domain Outcomes for Victorians To drive concrete improvements across government to ensure every Victorian can belong, contribute, achieve and succeed Victorians are safe and secure Victorians live free from abuse, violence and fear Victorians have suitable and stable housing Victorians have good health and wellbeing Victorians have good physical and mental health Victorians have equitable health and human services access Victorians are able to fully participate Victorians participate in learning and educationVictorians participate in and contribute to the economyVictorians have financial securityVictorians understand, are empowered by, and exercise their rightsVictorians have access to a natural and built environment that promotes liveability, suitability and inclusionVictorians are connected to culture and communityVictorians are socially engaged and live in inclusive communitiesVictorians can safely identify with and connect with their cultural identity Victorians have equal rights and opportunities Victorians live free from discriminationOpportunities to participate in the workforce are equitably available to all Victorians

Victorian. And Proud of It.Programs and Initiatives 75 initiatives across government framed within the five domains of the Outcomes FrameworkSome of the headline initiatives include :$15 million to assist new arrivals to learn English and find a job $4 million multicultural sports fund$2.3 million Rights and Responsibilities community engagement and education programRight to Debate to empower communities to engage in civil dialogue on contemporary issues Digital Literacy and Digital Citizenship program $1 million Anti-Racism Action Plan to combat discrimination and racism in local communities . LGBTI Multicultural Grants to enable LGBTI, faith based and culturally diverse organisations to provide inclusive services and programs.Vicky the Truck

Conclusion Multiculturalism is relevant to all of us Requires a whole of community and whole of Government approachWe need to talk about the benefits – and the challenges If managed well, can deliver economic, social and cultural benefits for all To optimise the benefits we need to engage and investA range of levers and toolsLegislative, policy and evidentiary based targeted programsBut the people are the greatest assetOngoing commitment is required to ensure we remain a cohesive, strong, fair and unified society.

Q & AOver to you…