Queensland Government Multicultural Policy 2004 incorporating the Queensland Government Language Services Policy
A message from the Premier
Queensland is home to hundreds of cultures and our great diversity should be supported and fostered to our advantage.
Multiculturalism is one of the Smart State's great strengths, in terms of our workforce, communities, business and trade.
Our inclusive culture and our capacity to celebrate difference are being supported by my government through increased funding for the Multicultural Assistance Program and strategies to promote and utilise our diversity.
We want to:
- Improve our use of the range of skills and talents of our multicultural workforce
- Increase employment opportunities
- Maximise the economic benefits of cultural diversity, particularly in education, tourism and trade
- Improve the responsiveness of government services to cultural diversity
- Develop a greater awareness and acceptance of multiculturalism
We have an opportunity and an obligation to ensure that every Queenslander, irrespective of their cultural background, enjoys the benefits of life in the Smart State.
Please join with my government in building on our multicultural achievements and enhancing harmony and equity.
Peter Beattie MP Premier and Minister for Trade January 2005
Introduction
Queensland is a dynamic and diverse society with many cultures, languages and religions.
The Queensland Government acknowledges the special position of the Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders as the first people of the land and recognises their rich diversity in cultures and languages and contribution to Queensland.
People from all over the world have come to call Queensland home. The State is growing rapidly and cultural diversity is increasing. One of our great strengths is our diverse community.
Queenslanders are increasing their contact with diversity due to the greater global movements of people, business and trade developments, travel opportunities, advancements in communications and information technology.
Since 1998, the Multicultural Queensland Policy has guided our efforts to maximise the benefits our cultural diversity offers. As a strengthened Queensland Government policy commitment, Multicultural Queensland - making a world of difference is a new blueprint for how to best manage this ever-increasing diversity for the economic and social well-being of all Queenslanders.
As a policy, multiculturalism promotes social justice and equity for disadvantaged non-English speaking communities, women and young people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and newly arrived refugees and migrants. It also fosters economic development and participation by supporting skilled migrants, people with multilingual skills and people with overseas connections and by nurturing cultural capital. Multiculturalism also underpins community cohesion by raising awareness of the benefits of diversity and promoting respect for difference.
Queensland Government commitment
The Queensland Government will promote equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for all Queenslanders, regardless of their cultural, ethnic, religious background or gender. It will continue to foster an inclusive, cohesive and open society so that everyone is:
- given opportunities to share their knowledge, values and cultural heritage to contribute to building the State
- offered a fair go and equitable access to services
- able to exercise their civic rights and responsibilities
- protected from discrimination.
Multiculturalism is for everyone - all Australians are expected to:
- have an overriding and unifying commitment to Australia and its interests and future
- enjoy freedom to express, share and value one another's cultural heritage
- have equality of opportunity to benefit from, and contribute to, all aspects of life without prejudice or discrimination
- hold universal ideals of human rights based on mutual respect and cooperation.
Through Multicultural Queensland - making a world of difference, the Queensland Government upholds these values:
- Promoting the economic and cultural benefits of diversity - All Queenslanders share the economic and social benefits of cultural diversity
- Ensuring access - All Queenslanders have equitable access to services and programs regardless of their cultural, linguistic and religious backgrounds
- Assisting community development and participation - All Queenslanders enjoy equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities to participate in, contribute to and benefit from all aspects of life in Queensland
- Promoting community relations and cohesion - All Queenslanders share responsibility for the continuing development of Queensland as a cohesive and fair society.
Delivering on commitment - a plan of action
We are committed to Multicultural Queensland - making a world of difference and will implement it through these strategies:
- Productive diversity economic strategy - strengthening our Smart State standing as a place that values and wishes to attract intellectual capital, overseas investment and secure further gains through harnessing cultural diversity in key areas such as trade, skilled migration, education, tourism, and science/technology
- Supporting communities - funding and investing in Queensland's communities to further multiculturalism through research, policy development, advocacy, community awareness, festivals, services, projects and networks
- Strengthening multiculturalism in the Queensland public sector - changing how activities of Queensland Government agencies are planned and delivered to ensure all Queenslanders, regardless of cultural and linguistic backgrounds, have access to services
- Community relations and anti-racism - strengthening the sense of belonging Queenslanders have in their local environment and in the global community.
Making it happen
Productive diversity economic strategy Our diversity is one of Queensland's greatest assets both for social and economic benefits. We have a highly educated, skilled, multilingual and culturally diverse workforce which contributes to developing Queensland as the Smart State. Migrants have made enormous contributions to the community in areas such as business, arts, culture, trade, agriculture, tourism and education. Successful management of multiculturalism involves capturing the economic advantages of our cultural and linguistic diversity. Language skills, knowledge of overseas markets, overseas contacts and expertise in cultural protocols can be valuable tools to businesses wanting to develop a competitive advantage. To embrace this notion of 'productive diversity', Queensland Government agencies will:
- Establish partnerships between government agencies and business, industry, tourism, and education sectors to promote and maximise the economic advantages of cultural diversity and promote the State as a destination to work and live
- Develop supporting strategies for multiculturalism in international relations, tourism, trade and export areas
- Develop educational and promotional activities to increase awareness of the economic benefits of multiculturalism
- Develop strategies in the public sector to better capture the benefits of a diverse workforce
- Support strategies that increase Queensland's population, particularly in regional areas, to address Queensland's economic and social future.
In time this could lead to:
- Improved connections with overseas business cultures to strengthen our existing networks and skills base
- Improved opportunities for Queensland in the import and export sectors, tourism, arts, education, trade and business
- More jobs for Queenslanders.
Supporting communities
Queensland communities need support if they are to meet future local and global challenges. The Queensland Government acknowledges that working collaboratively with a range of partners is an effective way to deliver services and outcomes to Queenslanders.
Under Multicultural Queensland - making a world of difference, partnership opportunities will be sought with community organizations to foster a greater acceptance of multiculturalism.
The Queensland Government will support diversity by providing:
- grants through Multicultural Affairs Queensland to organisations for policy development, advocacy, education, service delivery activities, research and to identify needs
- access to other Queensland Government funding opportunities for community organisations to undertake multicultural projects that promote cultural diversity, strengthen communities and increase understanding and acceptance of multiculturalism
- funding to local government agencies through the Local Area Multicultural Partnership program to support multiculturalism at a local and regional level
- information about cultural diversity in Queensland through publications and promotional activities
- funding projects which enhance the capacity of ethnic communities to participate in all elements of Queensland life.
In time this could lead to:
- A greater acceptance and understanding of multiculturalism and its benefits
- Increased capacity for communities to contribute to the State's development
- More jobs for Queenslanders
- Enhanced community harmony and sense of belonging.
Strengthening multiculturalism in the Queensland public sector
Queensland Government agencies are significant employers of Queenslanders. These government agencies also develop State policies and legislation, deliver services and programs and form partnerships with community groups and organisations. In this context, Queensland Government agencies need to ensure issues of cultural diversity and multiculturalism are addressed strategically. This strategy aims to improve the Government's delivery of service and how it incorporates diversity into its core business.
The strategy will involve:
CEO leadership - multicultural performance indicators will be incorporated into CEO performance agreements and progress on performance will be reported directly to the Premier. CEOs will take an active role in providing leadership in delivering relevant portfolio outcomes under Multicultural Queensland -making a world of difference.
Departmental annual action plans - Queensland Government departments will develop annual multicultural action plans identifying key priorities and outcomes that will be delivered through Multicultural Queensland - making a world of difference. Progress on outcomes will be reported to Government and in agency annual reports.
Action teams - teams will be formed to develop, assist with and oversee the implementation of departmental multicultural action plans. The action teams will be sponsored by a Deputy Director-General or equivalent.
Evaluation and continuous improvement - departments will establish key priority projects and areas, resource allocation, performance milestones and an evaluation mechanism to measure progress towards achieving outcomes under the policy. This will ensure that multicultural best practice initiatives can be sustained and strengthened over time.
Reporting - Departments will report on the progress of their multicultural action plans in their annual report, and Multicultural Affairs Queensland will coordinate a report to Government on the implementation of Multicultural Queensland - making a world of difference.
In time this could lead to:
- Improved accessibility to all Government services and programs
- Improved public sector employment outcomes for Queenslanders of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- A more responsive and skilled public sector to manage cultural diversity
- Improved awareness of rights and responsibilities of Queenslanders of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- An enhanced sense of belonging and ability to participate in government activities for Queenslanders of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Community relations and anti-racism strategy
There is a need for enhanced understanding of cultural diversity and a greater sense of belonging among all Queenslanders particularly in times of global instability and conflict. Community harmony and stability are dependant upon our people feeling they are accepted as part of the community. The community relations and anti-racism strategy will help Queenslanders overcome social exclusion, more readily contribute to the State and will create greater community awareness of the value of cultural diversity.
The Queensland Government is committed to building a cohesive society which accepts and respects cultural diversity through:
- Developing a whole-of-Government strategy to address systemic racism
- Using funds from the Cultural Diversity Support Strategy to assist community organizations to deliver community relations and anti-racism initiatives
- Establishing signature events including the Queensland Multicultural Festival to promote multiculturalism to the wider community
- Promoting positive and cohesive community relations across the whole community through a renewed community relations plan
- Continuing the recognition of, and commitment to, specific disadvantaged community groups including the Australian South Sea Islander communities
- Supporting initiatives that raise awareness and address racism.
In time this could lead to:
- Enhanced community cohesiveness and a greater acceptance and understanding of multiculturalism and its benefits
- Increased capacity for communities to contribute to the development of the State
- More jobs for Queenslanders
- Improved understanding of rights and responsibilities
- Fewer instances of racism
- Increased access to complaints mechanisms.
Roles and responsibilities
The effective implementation of Multicultural Queensland - making a world of difference will require the commitment, resources and efforts of various sectors in the community and individual Queenslanders. The Queensland Government is committed to driving the multicultural agenda in its various roles as leader, policy-maker, fund distributor, service provider and employer. It will also work with local and federal governments, the business sector, tertiary education sector, institutions and the community to ensure everyone plays a part in helping Queensland realise the benefits of multiculturalism.
The Government will also ensure the public sector plays its part and all Queensland Government agencies will have clear responsibilities in the implementation of Multicultural Queensland - making a world of difference. An annual report will be presented to Government to ensure progress is on track and any adjustments required to the policy are made.
Multicultural Affairs Queensland will:
- Advise and assist agencies to implement Multicultural Queensland - making a world of difference
- Assist agencies to develop departmental multicultural action plans
- Coordinate an annual report to Government on the implementation progress of Multicultural Queensland - making a world of difference
- Conduct workshops to inform agencies about the purpose of and standards for the policy
- Coordinate activities across Queensland Government agencies through an interdepartmental committee and related working groups
- Provide cross-cultural training and advice to the public sector
- Work with commonwealth and state/territory governments on issues of national significance
- Consult regularly with agencies and stakeholders in the community and across government on multicultural affairs
- Develop activities and publications to support the understanding of multiculturalism
- Administer grants through the Cultural Diversity Support Strategy.
Queensland Government agencies through the leadership of each Director-General will:
- Nominate a senior officer to sponsor overall implementation of the policy in the department
- Incorporate strategic multicultural action plans into all business plans
- Establish departmental action teams to implement the policy
- Participate in the interdepartmental committee on multicultural affairs
- Report on the progress of multicultural development in departmental annual reports and through Multicultural Affairs Queensland
- Consult with the community as part of delivering on Multicultural Queensland - making a world of difference
- Resource and fund multicultural initiatives including language services support and interpreters where appropriate
- Develop strategies to further promote employment of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in agencies.
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