The ACT Government has introduced the Multiculturalism Bill 2022, defining what an inclusive city looks like and what we are striving to achieve as a community.
In tabling the Bill, Minister for Multicultural Affairs Tara Cheyne said the legislation will support the Territory’s continuous growth and improvement as an inclusive city, celebrating our multiculturalism and diversity as a community.
The Multiculturalism Bill 2022 will create a Charter and enshrine in law the Ministerial Advisory Council for Multiculturalism. It also provides ways for the ACT Government to report back to the community on our progress as a welcoming and inclusive city.
“The ACT is a rapidly growing culturally and linguistically diverse community. We are a city that welcomes people and supports them to belong and participate in the social, political, cultural, economic, educational and civic life of our city,” Minister Cheyne said.
“Initially titled the Multicultural Recognition Bill, the new title “multiculturalism” reflects the feedback we received from the community that the legislation should celebrate multiculturalism and diversity, not only recognise it,” explained Minister Cheyne.
The ACT Government consulted extensively with the community on the legislation, with a first round of consultations in April 2021 and a second round in June and July 2022.
Quotes attributable to John Kalokerinos, Chair of the Multicultural Advisory Council:
Four states across Australia (NSW, Victoria, QLD and SA) have already put multicultural legislation of this kind in place. The introduction of the Multiculturalism Bill 2022 puts the ACT one step closer to joining those jurisdictions in having important legislation like this in place. The bill reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring Canberra continues to grow as an inclusive and diverse place to live.
