​​Subjects: Multicultural Framework Review Panel, Language policy, Ministerial reshuffle, Islamophobia envoy, Assaults on Australians in Paris, Multicultural media, Direction 110. 

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: Good morning, everyone. It's really great to be here. I want to begin my remarks by recognising the traditional custodians of the land on which we gather, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. I pay my respects to elders past, present, and those who are emerging, recognising any First Nations people who are here.

Now, today we are releasing the first major examination of the state of our multiculturalism in a generation. Today we take the first step in creating a stronger Australian community, importantly, one that we will build together. I'm really delighted to be joined by Bulent Hass Dellal, Nyadol Nyuon and Christine Castley, three eminent Australians who have spent the past 12 months listening to the voices and the opinions of the Australian people about what shapes our diverse communities.

Now, in 1973 under Prime Minister Whitlam, the then Immigration Minister, Al Grassby, published our first Australian multiculturalism ​policy paper. This was when the term "multicultural society" was first coined. Now, I think it's fair to say that Australia has never looked back from that moment over half a century ago, and today more than half of all Australians were either born overseas or who have a parent who was. Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, June Oscar, has provided the first work in our Multicultural Framework Review document and in it, she recognises that Australia's national identity is, in her words, “inherently multicultural”. Australia's multicultural identity is a fundamental source of our identity and a source of national strength and economic vitality. At the last election, Australian Labor committed to a re-examination of how national governance in better support of multicultural Australia.

We saw during the pandemic the dangers of governments that don't properly understand the needs of the diverse community. What our panel here found as they were making their way around Australia, was that multiculturalism isn't simply a policy structure, it's who we are. It thrives and fuels our communities, our schools and our workplaces. It's the very fabric of what defines us as Australians.

Now what the panel also determined, is that our work isn't close to being done. So, the panel has put forward 29 recommendations, covering themes such as identity, belonging, representation, connection, inclusion, research, evaluation and reporting, leadership, and accountability. The review also presses on the importance of our youth coming to the forefront with leading discussions about the future of multicultural policy.

The Albanese Government is committed to the Framework’s principles and will be guided by them, as we build on our community to ensure Australia's setting to fit the purpose, to harness the talents of all Australians.

I take this opportunity to thank our panel members, Hass Dellal, Nyadol Nyoun, and Christine Castley and their exceptional commitment to producing an honest and fair assessment of our country's diverse communities. I also want to thank the more than 1,430 individuals and 750 organisations, including First Nations, for putting forward agendas and issues, who engaged in one of 200 consultation events with the panel and the almost 800 organisations and individuals who made a submission to this review. It's really important to note that more than 120 of those submissions were received in a language other than English, allowing people to share their experiences and their views in the language that felt most comfortable to them.

To complement the release of the review and the government response, the Albanese Government is committing more than $100 million to support a stronger, more healthy Australia. This is funding that will enable investment in language services, support for increased community engagement, to allow multicultural organisations to approve amenity and strengthen their ability to serve both members of their own communities and the wider society.

The review should be seen as a reflection of this government's approach moving forward, focused on unity and not division, determined to bring the people together. And of course, to making sure that Australia continues to be the most successful multicultural nation in the world. Thank you. I'm pleased to hand over to our three panellists before we might take some questions. So perhaps we might start off. 

BULENT HASS DELLAL: Thank you. Firstly, I would also like to acknowledge the traditional owners that we meet on, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, and pay my respects to elders past, present, and emerging.

Thank you very much, Minister, and thank you for those words and also, I'd also I would like to welcome my fellow panel members. As the Minister stated, the review panel was very much encouraged by the response of government to the report and its serious consideration to its recommendation of which we understand some have been fully undertaken.

But it also is very important to say that this multicultural framework review is really a generational reform agenda requiring a whole-of-government and community approach that will position Australia to realise its full potential as a nation made up of many cultures, faiths, and lived experiences. The first word given to the First Nations and we're very grateful to June Oscar, to be Justice Commissioner - Social Justice Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands, Social Justice Commissioner for providing those words to us and to our report.

The report also sets a new benchmark for government on how to engage with the community as a whole. It also reminds us that multiculturalism stems out of Australian democracy which confers rights and is based on the premise that all people of Australia should have an overriding and unifying commitment to Australia and a shared responsibility with interest and its future first and foremost.

In delivering this report to the Australian government, the review, as the Minister stated, was informed by public submissions, by consultations, and through a whole range of other engagement throughout that process. The panel heard a strong and united voice from communities waiting to be part of decision-making process, to codesign and coproduce with relevant layers of government and share responsibility and have a role in accountability.

We heard to further strengthen our democracy and to address aspects of discrimination and racism, all should be able to enjoy the basic right of freedom from discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, culture, and gender, or should enjoy equal life chances and have equitable access to an equitable share of resources which governments manage on behalf of the community, or should have the opportunity to fully participate in society and its decisions which directly affect. All should be able to develop and make use of their potential for the country's economic and social benefit, and all should have the opportunity to acquire and develop proficiency in English languages, other than English, and to develop cross-cultural understanding, and if they choose, to be able to develop and share their cultural heritage. And institutions should acknowledge and reflect and respond to that cultural diversity with community.

The review is not about ‘a favoured go’. It's about ‘a fair go’. Communities, sectors and institutions and organisations cannot solve emerging issues alone. Neither can one age cohort. Essentially, everyone in Australia is responsible for an inclusive society in our workplaces, social interactions, online, or in person, everyone should take a human rights approach to inclusivity, fairness, respect, and equality. To ensure shared ownership of commitment across government, we of course ask the Australian Government to prioritise and implement 29 recommendations. And drawing on these recommendations, we propose a road map for a multicultural framework.

This road map, along with the right institutional settings, aim to provide the continuum needed to sustain a successful, fair, multicultural Australia for all. Underpinned by adequate data, research, and recording, the road map outlines some very key strategies moving forward. They look at connections, setting the foundations, bipartisan national [indistinct] based on social cohesion, cultural identity and equality and opportunity. Strong leadership and accountability with a recommended Multicultural Australia Commission to lead implementation of the framework. Strategic planning and coordination through a dedicated Department of Multicultural Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship. Collaboration across the country and community, multicultural ministry forum and a multicultural community advisory council. Identity and belonging, creating a welcoming Australia. A national plan to celebrate multiculturalism including Harmony Week and formally observe the United Nations International Day for Elimination of Racism and Discrimination. Implement a sustainable national language policy for social economic outcomes. Refresh citizen process that reflects a modern multicultural nation. An independent and diverse media sector. Invest in community organisations, cultural programs that drive social change through the arts and sports. Develop initiatives to deepen Australia-wide understanding of First Nations history such as the history presented through citizenship processes, civic parks and spaces, pathways to permanent residency and education. Inclusion, working together to get the services right. Imbedded cultural responsive services including health, disability, education, aged care and housing. Uplift the cultural capability across the Australian public service driven by the APSC through accountable leadership. A modernised multicultural grants program centred on sustainability and certainty. Design and implement strategy to breach the cultural and digital divide. Focus on unique needs of young people and regional communities and apply an intersection and gender equality lens through multicultural policies and services.

These are big reforms, but they are the pathway to a multicultural Australia for the next generation and we all need to work together to achieve this.

In closing, I would like to thank the Minister, who has been an absolute supporter and has guided us and assisted us through our journey. The Home Affairs Secretary for the extraordinary work and admin staff and researchers, writers, and most of all, a great attitude and I'd like to thank my fellow panel members for their invaluable work, support and friendship throughout this process.

Also, my gratitude goes to all those who participated in the review and lent their assistance. Additionally, to Professor Andrea Obeyesekere's for the research document on data and research, a commissioned paper for the framework review. And particularly those hundreds of schoolchildren who participated in the art competition to help design the cover of the publication.

But more so, as I said earlier, the thousands of people who absolutely participated in sharing their views and allowing us to be able to articulate their aspirations for a multicultural Australia and its future. Thank you very much. I would now like to invite each of the panel members just to reflect on some of their own personal views. 

CHRISTINE CASTLEY: I, too, acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we are gathered and pay my respects to elders throughout all time.

It was an absolute privilege to have been part of this review, not least because it was a chance to have a conversation, a very important conversation right across this country about who we are and what our identity should look like.

The panel was determined right from the very beginning to go to all parts of our country to have this important conversation and so we went to every capital city. We went to rural, regional and remote parts of Australia. We went into libraries, museums, schools, community centres, shopping centres. We had those conversations with people from all walks of life about who we are as a country, and we found that there was a very strong hunger to have this conversation and interest to have this conversation.

One of the questions that we put to people in this work about identity and values was what does ‘a fair go’ look like to you and there was an almost universal response which is ‘fair go’ means an Australia that has your back. And that's what sits at the root of all of our recommendations in our report. An Australia where we stand up for each other, where we stick together, and where we embrace each other regardless of our cultural or faith or other differences.

The title of this report, which is Towards Fairness, embodies the recommendations which are all geared towards creating an Australia that can advance to becoming an Australia that is fair and an Australia that is prosperous and an Australia that embraces the challenges and opportunities that come from our strength as a nation of cultural diversity. Thank you. 

NYADOL NYUON: I, too, would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands and pay my respects to their elders, past and present.

I would like to start with thanks before sharing my reflections. First is just to thank the Chair, Hass Dellal, for all the work and Christine also who has been a panellist. And then finally I also want to thank all the public servants that are working behind the scenes getting us to do all this work. They have been tremendously inspiring in so many ways and their commitment also. We feel quite optimistic for the direction of the country that sometimes we don't get to see as much. And then, finally, I want to thank the Minister for the opportunity to be involved in this project. I think it's really important and I think it's a really important conversation for all Australians.

My three reflections are based on the experiences of participating in this Commission. The first is that Australia has always been diverse from the beginning. The second reflection is that we are not only citizens of this country, we are also citizens of this era. And the final one is there is grounds to be optimistic.

On the first reflection, this country has been diverse with multiple languages and First Nations people who have lived for generations here. So diversity is not a new concept. It was also diverse even during the First Fleet with the number of people from different backgrounds arriving in this country and it has remained diverse. So diversity will always be part of who we are. The question will always be how we are going to harness it for the future. And I think in a complex future that is coming up, the way we use diversity of this country could define the next prosperity for Australia.

On my second reflection about being citizens of this country but also this era, is that no matter how hopeful or optimistic we can be, no matter the success in the past, we must all be committed today to citizens to make sure that we do our part. The success of the past are not going to automatically guarantee the success for the future and as citizens of this era with its unique challenges, we are all being asked to do a little bit more, not just apply our rights but also consider the observations that we have towards each other.

The final one, which is the ground for optimism. I would like to think that perhaps I am more a pessimist than an optimist, but having consultations across this country, some of them in really remote areas, I got to meet people who didn't use the word multiculturalism once, but really lived it all the time.

There was a small business in Townsville that is probably the most diverse business I've come across without having a Diversity Inclusion Policy. It's a small group that employs predominantly young men of African background and when I asked the man who runs the business why he did it, he said because they're good workers, it is the right thing, and there was no more story to it. I think I was looking for a more elaborated story. I was looking for a much more grand story, but it was simple. He just thought it was the right thing to do. I think to me, that is the real ground of optimism, that no matter what the challenges might be, most Australians are really getting on with it, taking on diversity. Thank you. 

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: Thanks so much, Nyadol, Christine, and Hass for preparing a really incredible report that tells a compelling story about the country that we are today and sets out a road map for the country that we might be if we were able collectively to harness our diversity.

Now, in terms of questions, I wonder if we can first go to the report itself while the panellists are here and obviously, I'll deal with any matters that people want to ask me about.

SPEAKER: There was a mention to the Language Policy, are you able to expand on what that involves and any timelines around that?

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: Yeah, look, a number of the recommendations contained in the report, and I might get one or more of the panellists to also add to my answer, recognised the importance of language. Certainly, the importance that we've recognised for some time in terms of having a world-leading program that teaches English to migrants, but also to recognise the extraordinary diversity that we have in the languages that were spoken around our country. That was, of course, one of the reasons why this report set a standard for government reports in terms of making possible submissions in languages other than English, and indeed, in formats other than the written word.

What we've done in response to a series of recommendations about language policy is to invest more deeply in translation and especially in services but also languages more broadly. I don't know if any of the panellists want to add to that. 

BULENT HASS DELLAL: Just in addition to that, I guess it's the support of community languages in community language school formats. I think it's very important to understand it's not just a question of preserving your heritage in the classroom through language but the economic benefits that this country can derive from ensuring that we encourage that a second language or a third language be [indistinct]. We live in a global world, and we talk about being a multicultural nation. It should be reflected in our languages as well and I think the support of that is very important. 

Very much a positive response from the communities right throughout the nation, whether it be rural or regional areas in the school settings, the support and the importance of languages in a multicultural nation is so important and that priority should be given to resourcing and furthering that conditions in the school framework, education framework, but also the workplace. 

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: Yeah, thanks very much, Hass. We are supporting more than 600 community language schools around the country in recognition of both of the importance of language inherently but also as a critical enabler to maintain the connection to culture. I guess the other point that Hass leads me to is that Australia today enjoys the extraordinary opportunity of being the fastest-growing economic region in human history and the communities that make up Australia have strong connections to every other part of that region. There's a great economic opportunity attached to it, too. 

SPEAKER: Sorry, I'm just going to go away from the report now. There are reports senior Labor sources are saying a ministerial reshuffle is imminent. What can you tell us about this?

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: Well, I can tell you that any reshuffling is obviously a matter for the Prime Minister. My focus today is on doing the job that I have and in particular, on this moment, which is a really big moment for our multiculturalism and indeed for Australian society. Reflection of the country that we are, an opportunity to seize moment and become an even stronger multicultural society.

SPEAKER: Do you want to hold onto the immigration portfolio, would you be disappointed if you were moved to something else?

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: I'm very happy doing the work I'm doing, but, of course, any reshuffle is a matter for the Prime Minister, and I won't comment on any of his decisions. 

SPEAKER: Will you be pushing to keep your position?

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: I am focused on doing the work that I'm doing. I'm very happy to be here today, releasing this extraordinary document and thinking about what [indistinct].

SPEAKER: Why haven't you yet announced an Islamophobia envoy?

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: Yeah, we're still undergoing the process of ensuring we appoint a special envoy to combat Islamophobia. We as a government, I as the Minister, are deeply concerned about the rise of Islamophobia. We think the appointment of a special envoy is a critical step in combating Islamophobia. We are working our way towards making an appointment. An announcement will be made in due course.

SPEAKER: Are you concerned about the reports of Australians being assaulted in Paris and is the government taking any further actions?

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: Obviously, I'm aware of those reports overnight. I will just make a couple of very brief comments about that. Firstly, of course, the safety of Australians everywhere is the highest priority of the Australian Government. Any report is of the deepest concern. I do want to acknowledge the extraordinary work of our consular staff, obviously in France, but in embassies and High Commissions around the world in providing support to Australians who are travelling [indistinct].

SPEAKER: You guys mentioned the recommendation on multicultural media, independent multicultural media. Can you elaborate on that?

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: Yeah, look, a number of recommendations in the report go to the media, to the functioning of our national broadcasters, the ABC and the Special Broadcasting Service, and also to recognise the extraordinary diversity it’s found in the independent multicultural media landscape. I think there are a couple of points to be made there. Again, one of the panellists may want to add to my answer.

I guess we are concerned to see the diversity of Australian community on our screens, in the voices we hear on radio and on podcasts, and obviously in representations in written media as well. These are concerns which have been advocated for some time. We're very proud, of course, of the fact of the SBS, which is a world-leading broadcaster in that regard, but we do recognise that more Australians should be able to see themselves in every aspect of national life, whether it's about reporting on the news or being subjects of a drama or another program as well. So that's one of the focuses there, to ensure that our diversity in the community is reflected everywhere that matters in Australian society, including in those representations contained in video.

We're also really concerned to ensure that we have a viable multicultural media landscape. One of the key lessons, I think, for all governments during the pandemic is that in a community such as ours, Australians rely on so many diverse sources for important information, including information to keep them safe, for public health purposes and otherwise. So understanding how the sector works, who can choose what the media and ensuring that the sector can remain viable are key focuses for recommendations in the report and a key focus for the government, including, of course, my colleague and Minister for Communications, Minister Rowland. Again, if my colleagues want to add to that. 

BULENT HASS DELLAL: Just one point Minister, throughout the review, we in this case [indistinct] the independent media sector realised there was an independent media and how they utilise. We saw evidence of the incredible work they did during the pandemic in being able to reach communities in language and be able to work with government services in providing appropriate services to appropriate communities. Our diversity is complex, and our diversity has many dynamic features to it in terms of community representation and where the communities are. I think independent media played a very important role and I think it's important that there are good relationships established with government in what independent media can do.

SPEAKER: Minister, you're facing calls from multicultural faith groups to help the Sydney mother who has lost her husband and toddler in this horrific train accident stay in the country. What's your response to those calls?

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: Yeah, look, I think every Australian was absolutely horrified by the images and the circumstances of that awful, awful accident in Sydney a couple of days ago. I think you will appreciate as Minister of Immigration, it's not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases, but I will say obviously I'm well aware of the circumstances.

SPEAKER: Are you able to confirm that your Office is looking at their status, though?

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: What I can say is that I'm well aware of the case and under the circumstances it would be inappropriate for me to comment.

SPEAKER: Are you able to provide an update on how Direction 110 is working?

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: Yeah, look, obviously we've made changes to the ministerial direction in question to ensure that common sense is applied to decision making. That direction has been enforced for a number of weeks now. I think we could say that we feel that we are satisfied with the progress to make. 

SPEAKER: Have you had to re-cancel any visas of some citizens under this new direction?

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: I don't believe so. 

SPEAKER: Dean Martin has been arrested and is due to be deported on character grounds. He reportedly has no criminal convictions. What's the justification for his deportation?

ANDREW GILES, MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION, CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS: Well, again, I'm not commenting on an individual case. Thanks very much, everyone. Thanks for coming.

ENDS