The ACT Legislative Assembly has today passed the Multiculturalism Bill, legislation enshrining the ACT’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
In passing the law, Tara Cheyne, ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs, said the new legislation will support the Territory’s continuous growth and improvement as an inclusive city, celebrating our multiculturalism and diversity.
“The ACT is becoming more culturally and linguistically diverse,” Ms Cheyne said. “This new legislation works to ensure people from all backgrounds are welcomed and have the same opportunity to be involved in the social, political, cultural, economic, educational, and civic life of our city.”
- Multicultural Recognition Bill open for consultation (20 June 2022)
The Multiculturalism Act 2022 creates a Charter that sets out clear principles and responsibilities for supporting diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
“It is a rights-based values statement for an ACT we want to live in and the norms we want to live by,” Ms Cheyne said. “The charter affirms what we expect of ourselves, of each other, of our community and our government. It places a positive obligation on all Canberrans to understand biases and be open, respectful, and to understand and embrace diversity in all its forms.”
The principles and responsibilities in the Charter will guide the development and implementation of more inclusive government policies, programs and services.
The Act enshrines in law the Ministerial Advisory Council for Multiculturalism to advocate on behalf of Canberra’s multicultural community. The Act also provides ways for the ACT Government to report back to the community on Canberra’s progress as a welcoming and inclusive city.
“Four states across Australia (NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia) already have multicultural legislation of this kind in place,” John Kalokerinos, Chair of the Multicultural Advisory Council, said. “The passage of the Multiculturalism Bill 2022 means that the ACT now joins those jurisdictions in having important legislation like this in place. The Act will contribute to ensuring that Canberra continues to grow as a welcoming and inclusive place to live.”
“The Multiculturalism Act defines the Canberra we want to live in now and into the future and complements existing reporting and enforcement mechanisms in the Human Rights Act 2004 and the Discrimination Act 1991 to protect equality and cultural diversity,” Ms Cheyne said.
“A large part of the success and impact of this Bill comes from the incredible community support and involvement we had during the consultation process. We thank everyone who took the time to share their views and help create this important foundation for our ongoing growth as a welcoming city.”
The Bill was introduced following extensive community consultation, considering the views and experience of the Canberra community.
Charter for Multiculturalism
The Charter for Multiculturalism reads:
“The Legislative Assembly believes our community is enriched by the long and continuous cultures of the first peoples of Australia and the diverse cultures, languages, religious or spiritual beliefs of the many other people who have made our community their home. Accordingly, we say:
Regardless of your background and experiences, and how you have come to be in the ACT —
- you are welcome and your contributions to our community are valued
- you are free and safe to express, practise, maintain, and celebrate your cultural, religious and spiritual identity
- you are entitled to use, preserve, and share your language
- you are free to participate as equals in the civic, cultural, economic, educational, political, and social life of the ACT
- you are entitled to equitable access to information, services, and programs provided to our community
We have a shared responsibility to—
- value the contributions of all people, regardless of their backgrounds and experiences
- embrace and realise the benefits that diversity brings to our civic, cultural, economic, educational, political, and social life
- create a harmonious and unified community based on mutual respect, trust, and understanding
- end racism and other forms of unlawful discrimination.”
