Labor's Multicultural Statement

Multiculturalism is one of Australia’s greatest achievements.

Nearly 30 percent of Australians were born overseas, while half of our population were either born overseas or have a parent born overseas.

From 200 countries and 260 languages, Australia’s diversity is our strength.

In Australia, no matter who you are, where you were born or the language you first spoke, everyone belongs.

Labor celebrates and embraces our multiculturalism. We are committed to realising the benefits of diversity for our nation, and for every one of us.

Creating a level playing field that expands opportunity and ensures that everyone can go about their lives free of racism and discrimination is a core Australian value. It’s the fair go.

We cannot afford to be complacent. At a time of rising racism around the globe, we must recommit to being a place where everyone feels that they belong, and where no one is left behind.

The pandemic has challenged our multiculturalism, and revealed gaps in our policy framework. Our national government must effectively respond to this.

Labor is determined to enable every Australian to participate fully in society, remain connected to their culture, and ensure we all have opportunities to get ahead.

Labor Governments have contributed to our multicultural success over many decades.

From the Whitlam Government’s establishment of the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975.

To Bob Hawke’s creation of the Office of Multicultural Affairs in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

We still have much work to do. The ability to participate fully in the economic, social and political life of Australia is something that should extend to all Australians regardless of where they came from or where - their parents or grandparents - were born. This is an idea not fully realised.

To achieve this requires the dismantling of those barriers that have prevented people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and new migrants from achieving their full potential.

This is a core mission for an Albanese Labor Government - so that all Australians can get ahead.

Andrew Giles MP
Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs