the government’s vision for citizenship in a multicultural victoria · 2018. 11. 27. ·...

The GovernmenT’s vision for ciTizenshipin a mulTiculTural vicToria

The GovernmenT’s vision for ciTizenship in a mulTiculTural vicToria

Foreword from the Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship 3

Executive Summary 4

A Snapshot of our Diversity 5

Victoria’s Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Diversity 5

Benefits of Diversity 6

Citizenship, Unity and Diversity – The Principles of a Cohesive Multicultural Society 7

Citizenship: A new approach to Multicultural Affairs in Victoria 7

The new Multicultural Victoria Act 8

Victoria’s Whole-of-Government Approach 9

Key Government Initiatives 10

Towards a New Policy Framework 11

Contact us 11

Accessibility 12


foreword from The minisTer for mulTiculTural affairs and ciTizenship

Victoria has long reaped the benefits of migration, and the resulting multicultural diversity is now one of our key strengths, and contributes to our quality of life. The Victorian Government will build on our existing strengths by promoting unity and social cohesion, by developing international engagement, and by furthering our economic competitiveness.

This document outlines the Victorian Government’s vision for multicultural affairs in Victoria, and in particular the role of citizenship. Citizenship is one of the pillars of a successful multicultural society, where all Victorians actively contribute to and respect the richness and diversity of our State’s social, cultural, economic and civic life. As part of our commitment to civic duty, citizenship binds all Victorians in a shared commitment to each other as part of a broad community. Citizenship, and its underlying mutual obligations of rights and responsibilities, supports the cultural and linguistic diversity of the State of Victoria.

This view of citizenship, with shared rights, responsibilities and values, underpins the Government’s approach to developing programs and initiatives that meet the needs of our diverse multicultural community. All Australians benefit from our cultural and linguistic diversity, and that citizenship unites our diverse community through a commitment to our nation’s democratic institutions, laws, values and the notion of a ‘fair go’ for all.

The purpose of this statement is to outline the Government’s vision for the role of citizenship in supporting and celebrating the rich cultural and linguistic diversity in Victoria. This document also shows how we have already begun to realise this vision, and invites members of the community to submit their ideas on how the Government can best assist all Victorians to live engaged, fulfilling lives within our diverse and cohesive community.

Our vision, which expands on previous bipartisan commitments to multiculturalism, is part of developing a new whole-of-Government multicultural affairs policy for Victoria. This policy will re-affirm the Victorian Government’s commitment to promoting and supporting a socially cohesive, multicultural society, and will serve as a national and international example on how to better promote and support unity in diversity. This new policy will also outline how the concept of citizenship sharpens the Government’s vision of uniting our diverse communities through a shared commitment and respect for each other, and the broader community.

I trust this document will be the start of a broader conversation about how we can more effectively support the unity and diversity of our Victorian community. I welcome your ideas on how we can continue to improve the Government’s role in supporting all Victorians.

Good leadership is about anticipating and preparing for the ever-changing global dynamics of our modern world. Our approach to diversity ensures access to a wide variety of cultural experiences and influences, which helps prepare our citizens for the challenges and opportunities of today and tomorrow.

I look forward to developing our long-term plan with you.

Hon. Nicholas Kotsiras MPminister for multicultural affairs and citizenship

The GovernmenT’s

vision for ciTizenship in a mulTiculTural

vicToria

Citizenship is central to the Government’s vision for multicultural affairs in Victoria. Citizenship is broadly conceived as shared rights and responsibilities within a diverse, interdependent and democratic community. This concept of citizenship is the foundation of a successful multicultural society and underpins the Government’s approach to multicultural affairs.

The Victorian Government maintains that multiculturalism and citizenship are complementary, and that the promotion of citizenship and civics to new migrants, including refugees, strengthens our commitment to uphold the democratic values and institutions that we all cherish.

All Victorians contribute to our diversity. Aboriginal people and their cultures are acknowledged and respected as the first Australians. The legacy of migration also means that Victoria enjoys the benefits of a rich and diverse multicultural heritage, in language, religion, faith and culture. Together, our diverse communities, sharing a common Victorian identity, make up our multicultural society.

The Victorian Government’s vision for a cohesive, multicultural society recognises the need to build resilient communities that have strong social networks and a sense of belonging to the broader Victorian society. By being closely engaged and connected to the broader society, communities are able to respond better to challenges and adversity, and are also better placed to make positive contributions to our society.

Building resilient, engaged individuals and communities with a real sense of belonging, acceptance and respect underpins the Victorian Government’s vision for supporting the diverse communities in our State.

The purpose of this vision statement is to summarise the Government’s outlook for the future of cultural diversity in Victoria, and to invite members of the community to submit their ideas, which will help guide the State Government in better supporting the diversity and unity of all Victorians. This support will create social, cultural and economic benefits for us all.

execuTive summary


A SNAPSHot of our DiverSity Victoria is home to one of the most culturally diverse societies in the world.

Our population is among the fastest-growing and most diverse in Australia.

Overseas migration has contributed significantly to Victoria’s growth, especially since 1945.

At the 2011 Census, the total population of Victoria was 5,354,040 persons, increasing by 8.5% (or 421,617) from the 2006 Census.

Some of the highlights are:

> 26.2% of Victorians were born overseas in more than 200 countries (an increase from 23.8% in 2006).

> 46.8% of Victorians were either born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas (an increase from 43.6% in 2006).

> 23.1% of Victorians spoke a language other than English at home (an increase from 20.4% in 2006).

> 67.7% of Victorians followed 135 faiths – compared to 68.7% following 130 faiths in 2006.

vicToria’s culTural, reliGious and linGuisTic diversiTy

0

50000

100000

150000

200000

250000

300000

350000

Not stated etc.

Sub-SaharanAfrica

Americas

SN & CentralAsia

North EastAsia

South EastAsia

N Africa &Middle East

SN & ENEurope

NW Europe

Oceania

2001 2006 2011

70,58280,858

100,617

291,815284,989

296,902

311,277289,333

274,584

60,52572,584

88,780

145,682166,081

210,731

65,91291,520

135,547

66,20699,307

186,326

35,53640,210

49,542

35,63344,975

59,466

263,022328,094

280,608

FiguRE 1: vicToria – overseas-Born By major GeoGraphic reGions, 2001, 2006 and 2011 census

The GovernmenT’s


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BeNefitS of DiverSity Cultural diversity has provided significant social and economic benefits to our State.

Social Benefits

Migrants and new arrivals contribute to a socially cohesive, multicultural society by sharing their rich cultural traditions, languages and religious heritage with the broader community. This cultural, linguistic and religious diversity has long played a distinctive role in the character of life in our State, contributing to the vibrancy of our society and our collective prosperity.

Most Victorians well understand the social benefits of our diversity.

> Research contained in the Scanlon Foundation’s 2011 “Mapping Social Cohesion” survey, conducted by Monash University, found that 64% of respondents ‘strongly agree’ or ‘agree’ that accepting immigrants from many different countries makes Australia stronger, up from 62% in 2010.

> Acceptance of cultural diversity is high across Victoria with over 89% of Victorians supportive of different cultures in society, according to the University of Melbourne’s 2008 Report Prepared for the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission.

Victorians support and appreciate the cultural diversity of our State.

economic Benefits

Migration, whether through family reunion, skilled migration or humanitarian programs, has also brought valuable skills, business and investment into Victoria, aiding in the creation of an innovative and dynamic workforce, and enabling Victoria to develop strong relationships with our neighbours and participate on a global level.

Victoria continues to reap the economic benefits of our diversity. The very development of our cosmopolitan society has led to Victoria being perceived internationally as a welcoming and safe place to do business, to study and to work. Continuing to embrace diversity builds on these economic benefits, some of which are highlighted below:

> Two-thirds of all working age migrants had academic or trade qualifications in 2010–11. This is higher than the rate for people born in Australia (66% for migrants, 56% for Australian born).

> The international education sector is the State’s largest export industry representing approximately 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in Victoria.

> As at November 2011, there were 161,662 international tertiary education enrolments in Victoria, generating an income of $4.822 billion in 2010–11 and forming a strong platform from which future workforce participation and innovation can be generated.

> An ABS survey in 2006 indicated that 29% of all small business operators in Australia were born overseas, with approximately one in two small businesses either owned by overseas-born or second-generation Victorians.


CitizeNSHiP, uNity AND DiverSity – tHe PriNCiPleS of A CoHeSive MultiCulturAl SoCietyCitizenship is the foundation of a successful multicultural society.

While Australian Citizenship, in a formal sense, is conferred by the Commonwealth Parliament, there is a broader social concept of citizenship, which confers both rights and responsibilities on everyone living in Victoria.

The ultimate function of this broader notion of citizenship is to support a socially cohesive, multicultural society where diversity complements unity and vice versa. By emphasising the shared values of all Victorians and encouraging their full participation in society, the Government aims to strengthen social cohesion, innovation and opportunity for all.

Victoria’s approach to multicultural affairs respects diversity while promoting a united community through a shared commitment to our nation and its democratic institutions, laws, values, aspirations and responsibilities.

The Victorian Government supports shared rights and responsibilities by promoting understanding of Australia’s democratic institutions and the rule of law in a number of ways:

> providing migrants and new arrivals with information on how to participate in the democratic process and exercise their rights and responsibilities as residents of Australia;

> providing civic education to new and emerging communities to promote participation in Australian democracy;

> commitment to universal education so that Victoria’s young people are prepared to effectively participate in our multicultural and global society; and

> building intercultural understanding and partnerships between communities.

Full and equal democratic participation is a prerequisite to a socially cohesive, multicultural society. It encompasses all Victorians, as well as groups at particular risk of becoming isolated or alienated, such as humanitarian entrants, senior Victorians and vulnerable youth.

Among other things, participation refers to:

> experiencing a sense of belonging to family, friends and community; > the ability to access necessary services; > the right to engage with government; > contributing to society by volunteering for the benefit of the community; > being gainfully employed and utilising one’s skills for one’s own benefit and the benefit

of all Victorians; and > expressing one’s culture and engaging with all Victorians via artistic expression and

cultural events.

While our backgrounds, experiences and interests are different, our shared values connect us as Victorians. Many migrants come to Australia because they share our values and respect our democratic institutions. The Victorian Government has embraced this desire for engagement as a lynchpin of its approach to multicultural affairs.

ciTizenship: a new approach To mulTiculTural affairs in vicToria

The GovernmenT’s


vicToria

tHe New MultiCulturAl viCtoriA ACtThe Government is committed to a Whole-of-Government approach to multicultural affairs. This commitment has been enshrined through the new Multicultural Victoria Act 2011.

Section 4 of the Act describes Victoria as a united community with shared laws, values and responsibilities within which people from diverse backgrounds have:

> the freedom and opportunity to preserve and express their cultural heritage;

> the freedom and opportunity to participate and contribute to the social, cultural, economic and political life of Victoria; and

> equal rights and responsibilities under the laws of Victoria.

Victoria’s approach to multiculturalism and citizenship is based on the following key principles:

> that cultural, religious, racial and linguistic diversity should be recognised and valued;

> emphasise the importance of citizenship, which refers to both the rights and responsibilities of all people in a multicultural society; and

> a commitment to promoting a united community with shared laws, values, aspirations and responsibilities where people from diverse backgrounds have:

> the freedom and opportunity to preserve and express their cultural heritage and contribute to the social, cultural, economic and political life of Victoria; and

> equal rights and responsibilities under the law.

We assert that citizenship is the basis on which to build a strong and unified society, where individuals learn from each other and together help forge a more inclusive and harmonious society. Citizenship unites our society and binds us to a common purpose.

The full text of the Multicultural Victoria Act 2011 can be found at: www.parliament.vic.gov.au/static/www.legislation.vic.gov.au-lawtoday.html


viCtoriA’S wHole-of-GoverNMeNt APProACHThe Victorian Government is working hard to realise its vision of seeing Victorians united in their diversity. A Whole-of-Government approach is critical to achieving this goal, ensuring effective coordination of government service delivery to Victorians who have particular cultural and language needs.

The Multicultural Victoria Act 2011 provides the framework for this Whole-of-Government approach.

The Act established the independence of the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) as a statutory authority providing extended and robust advice to the Government on multicultural affairs and citizenship in Victoria. Reporting requirements established under the Act allow the VMC to monitor service delivery across Government. Additionally, the Act established eight Regional Advisory Councils to provide advice to the VMC on multicultural affairs and citizenship issues at the local level.

Passage of the Act also resulted in the creation of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC), within the Department of Premier and Cabinet. OMAC advises on Victorian Government multicultural policy and drives program implementation. The establishment of the Settlement Coordination Unit within OMAC, provides a focus to better coordinate service responses across all levels of government and facilitate improved outcomes for newly arrived migrants and refugees in Victoria.

The establishment of the Multicultural Services Delivery Senior Officers Inter Departmental Group (IDG), with senior representation from across Victorian Government departments, also plays a critical role in the Whole-of-Government approach, by coordinating and monitoring service delivery issues pertinent to Victorians who have particular cultural and language needs.

The Act also requires all departments to report annually on their responsiveness to the diversity of the community when delivering services and programs.

Reports on the Victorian Government’s achievements and initiatives in multicultural affairs can be found at: www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/resources/publications/achievements-in-multicultural-affairs

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Key GoverNMeNt iNitiAtiveSThe Victorian Government is committed to realising its vision for a multicultural Victoria. The following initiatives have been implemented as part of our commitment to achieving this vision, particularly for more recently arrived migrants. They are only some of the current programs in the multicultural affairs and citizenship portfolio.

Settlement Coordination unit, Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC) The first of its kind established by a state government in Australia, this Unit coordinates between state, local and commonwealth governments to ensure improved service responses for newly arrived migrants and refugees across Victoria.

Migrant and Refugee Rights and Responsibilities Seminar Program This program provides information seminars to new and established migrants and people from a refugee background who have settled in Victoria. The seminars provide an overview of the local, State and Commonwealth settlement services available, and outline the basic responsibilities for all Victorian residents in relation to our State’s democratic institutions, human rights and the rule of law.

unity Through Partnerships grants Program This program supports festivals designed to bring different multicultural communities together in celebration.

increased Funding for Language Services An increase of $2 million over four years has been provided to improve access to government services by people with low English language proficiency, by further developing the supply and quality of interpreters and translators, and optimising the use of language services by government service providers.

Languages Education The Victorian Government has released a vision statement pledging to expand language education programs in Victoria. Languages education contributes to social cohesion, underpins Victoria’s increasingly globalised and export-oriented economy, and enables speakers of the languages to maintain or reclaim their languages.

Valuing Diversity in Volunteering This program recognises the important contribution that people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds make to strengthening Victorian communities through volunteering. It promotes volunteering to people from all backgrounds and promotes the value of recruiting volunteers from diverse backgrounds to organisations.

Participation of Multicultural Youth in Regional Victoria The Centre for Multicultural Youth is being supported to establish two regional offices to increase the opportunities for multicultural youth in regional Victoria to establish new lives, integrate and positively contribute to the community.

Participation for Seniors This program facilitates increased participation and social inclusion of older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, by expanding the range of appropriate opportunities for participation in the community. It also supports the delivery of improved information provision for seniors who have particular cultural and language needs.

Multicultural Arts Victoria By providing additional funding, the Victorian Government has increased Multicultural Arts Victoria’s capacity to program emerging artists in hard-to-reach communities, and strengthen its existing partnerships. The Government has facilitated new, innovative relationships for culturally diverse arts development. All of this builds new and growing audiences for diverse cultural products in Victoria and overseas.

The Victorian Jobs Bank Registry (previously the CALD Job Bank Registry) The Victorian Government has increased skilled migrants’ access to jobs and employment and recruitment networks by establishing a Victorian Jobs Bank Registry.

Civics, Citizenship and Multicultural Education The Government is committed to improving civics, citizenship and multicultural education so that all Victorian children and young people will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to participate effectively in our multicultural society as active and informed citizens of Victoria, Australia and the world.

Together, these programs and initiatives emphasise that a multicultural society is underpinned by our collective responsibilities as citizens; they provide opportunities to make a contribution through volunteering, joining a local club, experiencing and sharing Victoria’s natural environment, or building knowledge and understanding of Victoria’s legal and political systems.

For information on the range of whole-of-Government programs and services please visit: www.multicultural.vic.gov.au


towArDS A New PoliCy frAMeworKOur success as a multicultural and multifaith society depends on how we unite over what we have in common as citizens of Victoria. Our society is underpinned by shared democratic principles, rights, responsibilities and values which maintain a cohesive, peaceful and prosperous multicultural society.

The Government welcomes your ideas and suggestions to support its vision for a multicultural Victoria.

A new multicultural and citizenship policy for Victoria needs to embrace the social concept of citizenship, which is central to the Victorian Government’s vision of unity through diversity.

The following questions may assist you to articulate your views:

> What do you see as the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in Victoria and how could all Victorians be encouraged to take up those rights and responsibilities?

> How can the Government improve access to services for our diverse communities? > How can the Government better harness the skills, abilities and experiences of our

diverse communities for the benefit of all Victorians? > How can the Government support all Victorians to more fully participate in society? > How can the Government encourage all Victorians to appreciate the benefits of our

diverse society? > What existing programs do you think are the most important in supporting and

promoting diversity in Victoria? How can these and other programs be improved? > How can we more accurately measure the effectiveness of Government policy and

service delivery relating to the needs of diverse Victorians?

The Victorian Government values your thoughts and ideas on how, together, we can help build on the success of our diverse State. We believe that active community participation and engagement is one of the responsibilities we all share as members of the Victorian community.

The Government will use your input to develop and refine its policies and programs. We consider your ideas crucial to helping us gauge our achievements and identify areas for improvement.

Your comments and suggestions are sought by 26 October 2012.

CoNtACt uS If you would like to contribute your responses to these questions to help the Government develop its vision for a strong and cohesive multicultural Victoria, please contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship.

Telephone: 9651 1101Email: [email protected]: gPO Box 4698, Melbourne 3001

DPC120508

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, MelbournePrint managed by Finsbury Green

ACCeSSiBilityIf you would like to receive this publication in a PDF or Word version, please telephone the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship on 9651 0628 or email [email protected]

This document is also available in PDF and Word format on the Internet at www.multicultural.vic.gov.au

the government’s vision for citizenship in a multicultural victoria · 2018. 11. 27. ·...

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