Law Assignment: Review and Critique of Australian Multicultural Policy

This report provides a comprehensive analysis, review, and critique of the Australian government's multicultural policy, specifically focusing on the 2017 "Multicultural Australia – United, Strong, Successful" statement. The paper examines the context of multiculturalism in Australia, highlighting the diverse ancestries and high rates of migration. It reviews the policy's key aspects, including its acknowledgment of various ethnic groups, emphasis on English language learning, and stance on terrorism. The report also considers the policy's support for the rule of law, gender equality, and shared values of freedom and democracy. Furthermore, the analysis presents critiques from experts and politicians, addressing concerns about social integration, potential for increased racism, and the perceived lack of legal soundness. The report concludes by acknowledging the policy's potential impact while emphasizing that its contribution to Australia's multicultural society will be determined over time, based on the nation's commitment to liberal-democratic traditions and the rights and responsibilities of its citizens.

Running Head: Law 1
Law

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Introduction:
Previous multicultural policy of Australia “The People of Australia – Australia’s Multicultural
Policy” was introduced in 2011, and this policy reaffirmed the shared values and cultural
traditions and also considers the multicultural character which gives Australia competitive edge
in an increasingly globalized world. Recently, government of Australia launched the latest policy
related to multicultural “multicultural statement, Multicultural Australia – United, Strong,
Successful” in 2017 March (DSS, 2017).
This paper analyzes, review, and critique this policy introduced by government in 2017, and
lastly paper is concluded with brief conclusion.
Multiculturalism in Australia:
Australia is considered as multicultural nation with the population identifying almost 300
ancestries. As per the census of 2016 the most common ancestries in Australia are English,
Australian, Irish, Scottish, Chinese and Italian. Census of 2016 also state about the high number
of migration and as per these census almost one in four people in Australia which means 26 %
being born overseas. Various policies are issues by Australian government in relation of
multicultural initiatives. In 2017, government of Australia issued published its Multicultural
Statement titled Multicultural Australia: United, Strong, Successful. This policy is coincided
with section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 under which insult, offend or humiliate
words are replaced with word harass (DSS, 2017; Bourke, 2017).
Review and critique in context of this policy:
This multicultural statement acknowledges contribution of various British and Irish settlers in the
multiculturalism of Australia, and it also includes the ethnic minorities and indigenous people.

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Almost 300 ancestries contribute in the accomplishments achieved by Australians, as policy
stated from the first Australians to the newest arrivals. In other words, this policy specifically
acknowledges the contribution of every ancestry. This policy also stated about the importance of
learning English and about the terrorism.
This policy praise’s number of foreign languages used in Australia as it increases the ability of
country to indulge in foreign trade links and innovation which enhances international business.
The multicultural statements set out by the policy also consider the respect in lieu of rules of law
in Australia, and it also supports the equality in terms of gender which means between male and
female. This policy further stated that peoples of Australia are not divided by race religion or
culture, and these peoples are recognized by shared values of freedom, democracy, and the rule
of law and equality of opportunity. As stated by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull “fair go”. In
other words, a person of Australia mainly expects that everyone who resides in Australia must
obey the rules stated in Australia, no matter whether they are Australian citizens or not (The
Conversation, 2017).
Introduction of this policy can also be considered as great chance for politicians to lead and unite
the citizens of Australia for the purpose of celebrating the tremendous economic, cultural and
educational benefits for ensuring long term commitments towards the immigration.
This policy not only recognizes the importance of mutual respect but also consider the mutual
responsibility of the citizens of Australia. This policy also stated that success of Australia in
context of multicultural society is because of balance of rights and responsibilities which ensure
stable, and resilient society which provide opportunity to everyone to contribute and get benefit
from the perspectives.

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However, this policy is criticized by various experts and politicians in different contexts and
some of these critiques are stated here. As stated in the new released multiculturalism policy
United, Strong, Successful, somehow recalls the idea of Donald Trumph from his presidential
campaign. This policy starts with the false statement which states that Australia is the most
successful multiculturalism nation in the world. This race is won by Canada on any rational
criteria, and this new policy fairly stands in the place where government rhetoric has been
located for the past generation – social control and integration.
This policy is considered as conservative multicultural policy which stress the social integration
into the preexisting social order and core values because more progressive policies generally
results in social stress.
As stated by leader of opposition, Hon Bill Shorten MP this policy increases the insult, abused,
and humiliated of people on the basis of race. He further stated that present government choses
harmony day to weaken the safeguards against the racism.in other words, Australian government
give chance to increase the racism through this policy.
Changes appear because of this policies are not considered legally sound and they are also
morally wrong, and it is assumed by the opposition leaders that senate will not support this
backward step, as stated by President Bill Papastergiadis. He further stated that political
mechanism wants to reflect the broader interest of Australia and this policy is not more than
sectarian obsessions (Norman, 2017).
After considering the above facts, it is clear that this new policy includes both pros and cons, but
contribution of this policy in the multicultural nation is ascertained with time, and it is too early
to consider the contribution of this policy. Australia consist the society which founded on liberal-

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democratic tradition which consider the rights and responsibilities of every individual. Citizens
of Australia must be loyal towards the laws of Australia, and ensures their contribution for the
benefit of society. This new policy is also stated on the basis of these facts (NK, 2017).
Conclusion:
In 2017, government of Australia issued published its Multicultural Statement titled
Multicultural Australia: United, Strong, Successful. This policy is coincided with section 18C of
the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 under which insult, offend or humiliate words are replaced
with word harass. This policy is criticized by various experts and politicians in different contexts,
and many praise the idea behind this policy.

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References:
Bourke, L. (2017). Government releases first multicultural statement. Retrieved on 23rd October
2017 from: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/4539975/government-releases-first-multicultural-
statement/?cs=12.
DSS (2017). Australian Government's Multicultural Statement. Retrieved on 23rd October 2017
from: https://www.dss.gov.au/settlement-and-multicultural-affairs/australian-governments-
multicultural-statement.
DSS (2017). Multicultural Australia: Australia's multicultural statement. Retrieved on 23rd
October 2017 from:
https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/03_2017/multicultural_policy_2017.pdf.
NK, (2017). Malcolm Turnbull: 'Multicultural Australia is united, strong, successful'. Retrieved
on 23rd October 2017 from: http://neoskosmos.com/news/en/Malcolm-Turnbull-Multicultural-
Australia-is-united-strong-successful/.
Norman, J. (2017). Multiculturalism will only work if all Australians sign up, Coalition's first
policy statement says. Retrieved on 23rd October 2017 from: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-
03-20/policy-statement-on-multiculturalism-calls-for-unity/8367844.
The Conversation, (2017). The government’s multicultural statement is bereft of new ideas or
policies – why?. Retrieved on 23rd October 2017 from: https://theconversation.com/the-
governments-multicultural-statement-is-bereft-of-new-ideas-or-policies-why-74838.