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Many VoicesA Discussion Paper on the Tasmanian

Multicultural Policy

May 2013Easy English Version

Community Development DivisionDepartment of Premier and Cabinet

Produced by Community Development Division Department of Premier and Cabinet GPO Box 123HOBART TAS 7001

(03) 6232 [email protected]/divisions/cdd

Copyright State of TasmaniaMay 2013

What’s in this paper?

Message from the Minister...........................................................................5

How to read this paper.................................................................................6

Introduction..................................................................................................7

Cultural diversity: what does it look like in Tasmania?................................9

Principles....................................................................................................11

Building on the benefits of cultural diversity..............................................12

Fair access to services...............................................................................13

Encouraging participation..........................................................................14

Valuing cultural diversity and helping everyone to get on together..........15

Multicultural Principles...............................................................................16

Understanding your experience.................................................................17

About You...................................................................................................18

How to have your say................................................................................20

Message from the Minister

Tasmania is made up of people who have come from many different countries, backgrounds and speak many different languages. This is great for Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Aboriginals first arrived in Tasmania over 35 000 years ago. Then came British settlers from 1803, European and Asian settlers with the gold rush in the mid-1800s, and then more European migration after World War 11.

Today, people come to Tasmania from all over the world. They come to live, looking for a new life in Australia. Some come for a short time, such as travellers, overseas students or short-term workers.

All these people bring with them their own differences such as language, food, dress, traditions, art and religion. These differences are part of what makes Tasmania such a wonderful State.

As Minister for Community Development, I want to see a strong, confident community. I want to see all members of our community have the same chances and responsibilities to take part in Tasmanian life. To make sure all Tasmanians are treated with respect, dignity and without discrimination.

We want a community where everyone lives together peacefully and knows their rights and responsibilities as Tasmanian citizens. The Government’s Tasmanian Multicultural Policy tries to reach this vision.

Your views and experience are important and I encourage you to add your thoughts to Tasmania’s multicultural future. I look forward to hearing what you have to say.

Cassy O’Connor MPMinister for Community Development

Many Voices: Tasmanian Multicultural Policy Review Discussion Paper 4

How to read this paper

This paper uses words that you might not know.

These words are in red.

We have explained what they mean at the back.

You could also ask someone to help you read this paper.

We have tried to use easy words in this paper.

If you want to know more about the Tasmanian Multicultural Policy Review you can read the full Discussion Paper.

You can find the full Multicultural Policy Review Discussion Paper at:

http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/divisions/cdd/for_and_about/migrant_and_multicultural_communities


Introduction

Tasmania has many people who have come from different countries and backgrounds.

The Tasmanian Government knows that multiculturalism is good for Tasmania. It makes us a stronger community.

Multiculturalism is having a community (state or nation) made up of lots of people who come from different countries, may speak different languages, or have different religions and backgrounds.

No matter what country we were born in, what language we speak or religion we follow, all Tasmanians want many of the same things.

We want to be healthy and happy, we all want to be able to use government services that we can afford, and we want to be part of our community.

It is important that Tasmania is a community where we all follow Australian laws, we respect the culture, language and religious beliefs of others.


The new Policy will show the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to multiculturalism in Tasmania.


The Tasmanian Government works with all the community to support multiculturalism throughout the State.

There are Government services in the areas of health, education and employment to help Tasmanians.

The Government also helps with cultural events for Tasmanians.

These are some of the things that help all Tasmanians live together peacefully.

They also help to build skills and networks, increase language skills and help to be part of the community.

The Government also helps Tasmanians to understand their rights and responsibilities as Australian citizens.

The Government is keen to hear your ideas for the updated Multicultural Policy.

The Many Voices Discussion Paper looks at the multicultural principles that are in the current Policy. We ask a number of questions which are in the blue boxes.


Cultural diversity: what does it look like in Tasmania?

Over 900 000 visitors, including 140 000 international visitors, came to Tasmania for travel, employment or business reasons in 2012.

There are 26 000 tertiary students in Tasmania. 3 000 students are international students from over 100 countries.

More than 57 650 people or about 11 out of 100 Tasmanians were born overseas.

They mostly come from England, New Zealand, Scotland, Netherlands and Germany.

Over 24 out of every 100 Tasmanians or 113 969 people have at least one parent born overseas

In the past 10 years, most people came from overseas to live in Tasmania from: United Kingdom, China, India, South Africa and the Philippines.

This graph shows which countries people mostly come from when they move to Tasmania.

Tasmanians born overseas come from 170 different countries, 155 of those are from non-English speaking countries.


There are 24 different religions.

There are over 129 languages spoken in Tasmania. More than 22 000 people speak a language other than English in the home.

This includes 2 359 people who speak very little or no English.

The top five languages spoken at home, other than English, are Mandarin, German, Italian, Greek and Dutch.

Each year Tasmania accepts over 1 200 new migrants.


Principles

When the Government released the Tasmanian Multicultural Policy in 2001, it included a set of principles.These principles were written down to help us understand how multiculturalism is good for all Tasmanians. They also guide us to become a community that gets on well with each other and includes everyone in community life. These principles are:

to be aware of how important it is to have people from different cultures, who speak languages other than English. These are important skills and we should develop and use them to help Tasmania become a strong state.

it is a right of all Tasmanians to fair access to the services of the Tasmanian Government. We need to take into account the different needs of those who come from different countries and speak another language other than English;

to be aware of and encourage the right of all Tasmanians to take part in, and add to all parts of Tasmanian life. This includes the social, political, economic and cultural life of Tasmania; and

it is important that Tasmania is a community where we all follow Australian laws and we respect the culture, language and religious beliefs of others.

We will talk more about the principles later in this paper.


Building on the benefits of cultural diversityPrinciple: to be aware of how important it is to have people from different cultures, who speak languages other than English. These are important skills and we should develop and use them to help Tasmania become a strong state.

The benefits of having people from all types of backgrounds are significant and should be acknowledged and promoted.

People are hard workers and have skills and experience that benefit the workplace.

They are important in the arts, sport, science, research, business and all parts of Australian life.

There can be many opportunities in building business and overseas connections.

By using these skills we can also benefit in tourism, research and development, employment and education.


1) How can multiculturalism and the benefits of diversity be promoted to communities, industries and businesses?

Fair access to servicesPrinciple: to recognise the rights of all Tasmanians to fair access to the services of the Tasmanian Government. We need to take into account the different needs of those who come from different countries and speak another language other than English.

The Government has looked at the accessibility of government services. It is making some changes to make it easier for people who came from different countries and speak another language to use these services.

The Government knows that some people may need extra help and support to use services as they settle in to living in Tasmania.

Some ways that all services may be made better are: training for employees who work in these services about different

cultures; using interpreter services for people who have difficulty

communicating in English; drawing on information resources and publications in languages

other than English; and employing staff from culturally diverse backgrounds.


1) How can culturally diverse groups learn about the services available in their local communities?

2) How can services find out about people from culturally diverse backgrounds and meet their needs, especially as these change?

Encouraging participationPrinciple: to be aware of and encourage the right of all Tasmanians to take part in, and add to all parts of Tasmanian life. This includes the social, political, economic and cultural life of Tasmania.

It is important that people and communities have access to all the things that make a good life, things like relationships, social activities and work and learning.

Individuals and communities should be able to:

learn by taking part in education and training;

work by participating in employment, in voluntary work and in family and caring;

engage by connecting with people and using their local community’s resources; and

have a voice so that they can affect decisions that affect them.


1) How can involvement in learning and work be improved for Tasmanians from culturally diverse backgrounds?

2) How can people feel part of their local community, including those who are newly arrived?

3) How can local communities make migrants feel welcomed?

4) How can people be better involved with government, business and whole of community?

Valuing cultural diversity and helping everyone to get on togetherPrinciple: It is important that Tasmania is a community where we all follow Australian laws and we respect the culture, language and religious beliefs of others.

Tasmania is known as a State with many citizens who come from different countries and backgrounds. It is known as a nice place to live and visit. But we can make it even better, we can do this by:

Valuing our cultural heritage and protecting and supporting it and all the different peoples and their communities.

Respecting the culture, language and religious beliefs of others, while we all follow Australian laws. This is up to every citizen and Tasmania as a whole.

Trying to understand each other and accept our differences. We should act when we see discrimination.

Educating the community about discrimination, but also the benefits of all living together as one peaceful community.

Supporting and educating new citizens who come to Tasmania. We can teach them about their rights and responsibilities to follow Australian laws, to respect government and community.


1) How can we improve respect for all people in Tasmania?

2) How can we all live together better as Tasmanian’s from different backgrounds?

Multicultural PrinciplesThe last four sections discussed the multicultural principles and asked questions about each one. There could be other things we should put in the principles.

Enhancing community leadership and representationA strong multicultural community sector in Tasmania needs good leadership and rules to work by for its members. Other community groups, the government and businesses within Tasmania could help with this.

\ By having strong leaders, including women and young people, multicultural community groups can work together with the government, business and community areas.

If multicultural community groups have strong leadership, rules, training in how to run an organisation following Australian laws, they will have a better chance of getting new members, volunteers and possibly funding to help their groups.

A peak body is a group that listens to the issues, ideas and feedback from all other groups. It then takes this information and is able to speak to governments, business and the whole community. This is a good way to have their concerns and hopes heard.


1) How can peak bodies and other community sector organisations that help all Tasmanians get their voice heard by government and speak up on behalf of individuals and communities?

1) Would you like to suggest another principle to include?

Understanding your experienceThe Tasmanian Government wants to hear your experience of multiculturalism, and your ideas on how we can support communities to make them stronger.


1) What is your experience of a multicultural Tasmania?

2) What problems or opportunities have you come across, or seen others experience?

About YouWe would like to know more about you (you don’t have to answer these questions)

1. Are you male or female?2. What is your postcode?3. How old are you?4. Do you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?5. Do you consider yourself as from a culturally or linguistically diverse

background?6. How long have you been living in Tasmania?7. In which country were you born?8. Is English your first language?9. If there is a language other than English spoken at home, which language or languages?

10. Are you a carer of someone who is frail aged or a person with disability?

Your details

Can the Department of Premier and Cabinet upload your submission to the Departmental website for other people to read?

If so, can we include your or your organisation’s name:

Optional: Your name: …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Organisation (if you belong to one) …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Contact email: …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Contact phone number: …………………………………………………………………………………………….


What do these words mean? Policy A policy is a written down set of ideas and

guides about how things should be done.Discrimination Sometimes people are treated unfairly. They

might be picked on or not be given the same chances as other people. This might be because of things like: the colour of your skin, if you're a man or woman, the things you believe in. This is called Discrimination and is against the law.

Multiculturalism Multiculturalism is having a community (state or nation) made up of lots of people who come from different countries, may speak different languages, or have different religions and backgrounds.

Multicultural principles Multicultural principles are important things that guide us about having a multicultural community. They are the things that we value, things we want to work towards.

Culturally diverse backgrounds People come from lots of different countries and backgrounds. They may also speak a language other than English or have a different religion.

Accessibility Access is how easy a place or thing is for everyone to use. People often talk about using buildings or services, but it can mean other things too. Things like: websites or services.

Participation Taking part in something.


Cultural heritage Knowledge, arts, crafts and traditions that each citizen brings with them.


How to have your sayThere are two different ways you can give us your ideas:

Do a written reply and:Email – [email protected]

Post to:Principal Liaison Officer – Multicultural Community Development DivisionDepartment of Premier and CabinetGPO Box 123HOBART TAS 7001

Speak to the Principal Liaison Officer-Multicultural, by telephoning: 6232 7192.Please tell us if you need an interpreter.

All documents are on the website: http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/multicultural

You can also call (03) 6232 7192 for copies to be posted to you.

Consultation opens Saturday 25th May 2013

and closes on Friday 19th July 2013.


GPO Box 123

http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/multicultural

mailto:[email protected]

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