The Palaszczuk Government’s Multicultural Policy, Our story, our future, has helped people from culturally diverse backgrounds experiencing domestic and family violence, and has improved pathways for employment during its first three years.
Tabling the report in Parliament on the policy’s outcomes to date, Multicultural Affairs Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the policy and the first Queensland Multicultural Action Plan had been outstanding successes.
“This policy recognises that Queenslanders from culturally diverse backgrounds make an enormous contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of our State,” he said.
“It also makes a strong statement about our Government’s condemnation of racism and our commitment to support refugees and people seeking asylum.
The Multicultural Policy was released in December 2016 and outlines three priorities:
- Achieve culturally responsive Government.
- Build inclusive, harmonious and united communities.
- Improve economic opportunities for Queenslanders.
“The first Queensland Multicultural Action Plan, also released in December 2016, contains 104 actions.
“These included the Department of Education’s Refugee and Asylum Seeker Early Childhood Pilot, in which 207 children from refugee or asylum-seeker backgrounds were enrolled in kindergarten programs.
“Also, two enrollees from the Queensland Police Service’s Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Recruitment Preparation Program are now on their way to becoming police officers.
“Since the reinstatement of the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training has put more than 5660 participants from culturally diverse backgrounds on the path to employment.
“The Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women has funded services in Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast for people from multicultural backgrounds experiencing domestic violence.
“I am also excited about what lies ahead with the second Multicultural Action Plan that features 33 significant new or extended actions, including four Whole-of-Government actions.
“All 30 Government agencies have committed to initiatives, including the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Racism. Stops With Me campaign; increasing all forms of diversity on Queensland Government boards; and giving staff access to events, training and development opportunities.”
