Today the ACT Government opens consultation for the draft Multicultural Recognition Bill.
In this term of government, we have committed to enshrining in legislation for the first time in the Territory’s history our strong and ongoing vision for our culturally and linguistically diverse city.
This new legislation – due for presentation to the Assembly later this year – will further our government’s commitment to an inclusive and welcoming Canberra where everyone can belong and participate in social, cultural, economic, and civic life.
In our city, we are grateful to experience cultural richness every day in our workplaces, organisations and learning institutions, and through language, history, dress, food, music and celebrations.
The draft bill tabled today draws on extensive community consultation with Canberrans about the proposed legislation and what should be included.
Through this process the community told us about a range of emerging needs in this space and shared ideas on initiatives that could improve liveability, accessibility and representation for Canberrans from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The purpose of the Multicultural Recognition Bill is to define the Canberra we want to live in now and into the future, as a community that will elevate, recognise, value and embrace our evolving and growing diversity of cultures and languages. To this end, the Bill includes a Multicultural Charter which declares to each and every individual in the ACT that they:
- Are entitled to live in a community where there is mutual respect, irrespective of your background, culture, language or religion or spiritual beliefs
- Have a shared obligation to stop racism, discrimination and the negative effects they have on our community
- Are free and safe to express, practise, share and maintain your cultural and religious or spiritual identity
- Have varied experiences and personal attributes, as an individual or as part of a community, which contribute to the unique expression of your cultural identity, and are recognised and respected
- Belong to the ACT community, and are free to participate on equal terms in the social, cultural, economic, civic and political life of the ACT
- Whether you are a refugee, migrant or otherwise, you are forever welcome and your contributions to the ACT are valued and recognised
- Language is central to the preservation and appreciation of cultural identity, and you are free and are supported to use, preserve and promote your language
- You are an integral part of the ACT’s cultural, linguistic and religious or spiritual diversity, and are supported to enjoy and celebrate this diversity in all aspects of community life
The Bill also proposes to formalise the role of the Multicultural Advisory Council as well as to complement existing reporting and enforcement mechanisms such as those in the Human Rights Act 2004 and the Discrimination Act 1991.
