Multicultural Recognition Bill 2015
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill recognises the contribution of Queensland's diverse communities and sets up a framework for government to be more responsive to cultural, linguistic and religious diversity. It creates a Multicultural Queensland Charter, an Advisory Council to guide the Minister, and requires a multicultural policy and action plan with regular public reporting.
Who it affects
People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, especially newly arrived migrants and refugees, along with Queensland Government departments and statutory bodies that must apply the Charter in their work.
Key changes
- Establishes the Multicultural Queensland Charter with eight principles covering shared values, equal rights and inclusion
- Creates an 11-member Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council chaired by the Minister to advise on multicultural issues
- Requires the Minister to prepare a multicultural policy within 6 months and a new action plan every 3 years
- Requires government departments to make staff aware of the Charter and policy and to consider them when developing services
- Requires departments with actions under the plan to report publicly on their progress each year
- Clarifies that the Act does not create enforceable rights and does not override the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
▸Committee27 Oct 2015View Hansard
Referred to Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee
The Communities, Disability Services and Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Committee examined the bill over approximately three months, tabling its report in February 2016. The committee recommended the bill be passed, noting widespread support for its objectives of establishing a legislative framework to recognise multiculturalism in Queensland. The committee also recommended that the Department work with the new Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council to ensure the views of diverse communities in regional and rural locations are sought and considered.
Key findings (5)
- The committee found widespread support for the bill's objectives of recognising the contribution of multiculturalism and promoting a united, harmonious and inclusive community
- Concerns were raised that the bill is not legally enforceable, which may limit its ability to achieve its policy objectives, though the committee noted other jurisdictions have adopted similar principle-based legislation
- The committee considered whether an independent multicultural commission should be established instead of an advisory council, but accepted the Department's advice that existing structures largely performed the same functions
- Submitters highlighted the importance of ensuring regional and rural multicultural communities are represented in the Advisory Council's work
- The committee encouraged non-government organisations, community groups and businesses to adopt the Multicultural Queensland Charter principles as best practice
Recommendations (2)
- The committee recommends that the Multicultural Recognition Bill 2015 be passed.
- The committee recommends that the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services works with the Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council to put in place appropriate mechanisms to ensure that the views of Queensland's diverse communities, in particular those in regional and rural locations, are sought and considered by the Multicultural Queensland Advisory Council.
Committee report tabled
▸Second Reading16 Feb 2016View Hansard
Vote on a motion
Procedural motion during a break in the Multicultural Recognition Bill debate; the motion was unrelated to the bill's passage and was defeated 41 to 43.
The motion was rejected.
A formal vote on whether to accept a proposal — this could be the bill itself, an amendment, or another motion.
▸Show individual votesHide individual votes
Ayes (41)
Noes (43)
▸25 members spoke24 support1 mixed
As the responsible minister, moved the second reading and delivered the reply. Spoke passionately about her Italian-Sicilian heritage and championed the bill as recognising the contribution of Queensland's diverse communities.
“I am confident that this legislation will make a difference to the lives of Queenslanders from many different backgrounds and will help unite us, enhance cohesiveness in our communities and give us a chance to celebrate and cherish our diversity.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Supported the bill on behalf of the LNP but raised concerns about the transparency of the advisory council selection process, questioned how the bill would achieve meaningful employment for migrants, and sought clearer performance measures.
“While I rise in support of this bill, I want to take this opportunity to raise the following questions, concerns and issues I have with this piece of legislation.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
As a committee member, spoke of the community's need for the bill and the importance of addressing intolerance and inequity. Argued that only Labor in government would deliver these measures.
“It is obvious through the committee process that the community wants this bill. It is obvious through the committee process that the community needs this bill.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Supported the bill and spoke strongly against religious bigotry, including calls to ban Muslims from entering Australia. Expressed hope the bill would help combat such bigotry.
“To summarily ban or call for the banning of people entering this nation or staying in this nation purely because they practise the Muslim faith is bigotry. It is un-Australian.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Highlighted the economic benefits of migration and the importance of the advisory council including regional representation. Welcomed bipartisan support for multicultural values.
“When I hear this House speaking with one voice on such important matters that go to our values and our identity as a people, that certainly pleases me.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Spoke of multicultural diversity in rural and regional Queensland, highlighting multicultural workforces and festivals in her electorate. Encouraged adequate regional representation on the advisory council.
“There are many people from diverse backgrounds in rural and regional Queensland, in my electorate and across the state who embrace multicultural diversity and also people from different backgrounds.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Celebrated Queensland's multicultural diversity and the bill's alignment with similar legislation in other states. Highlighted local multicultural events and organisations in Central Queensland.
“This bill will enshrine in legislation our government's commitment to multiculturalism and symbolically recognise the contribution of Queensland's multicultural and multifaith groups to our public life.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
As former Minister for Multicultural Affairs, criticised the bill as saying nothing of substance, enforcing nothing, and doing nothing to improve migrants' lives. Argued existing policies and action plans under the previous LNP government were already effective.
“My problem is that it says nothing of substance, it enforces nothing, it does not promote much and it does nothing to make better the lives of migrants and refugees in Queensland.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
As member for the most culturally diverse electorate in Queensland, strongly supported the bill. Criticised the former LNP government's 40 per cent cut to multicultural affairs funding.
“As the member for the multicultural seat of Stretton, I am very proud to speak in support of the Multicultural Recognition Bill.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
As Deputy Premier, spoke in support as a second-generation Lebanese migrant. Acknowledged the Premier's long-standing championing of multicultural legislation since 2009.
“This bill recognises and celebrates the important contribution that people of different cultural backgrounds make to Queensland.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Supported the bill and the advisory council but raised concerns about which Islamic organisations should be represented, arguing groups supporting sharia law should be excluded.
“Multiculturalism does not automatically work; it must have common vision and commitment from diverse groups to work towards those common Australian values.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Spoke as the son of a Sicilian immigrant and member for an electorate where over 50 per cent of residents were born overseas. Emphasised the bill as an important first step towards changing attitudes.
“I am sure that if my grandfather had arrived in Queensland with multicultural recognition legislation in place back in the 1920s his lot in life would have been much easier.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
As a committee member and son of a Scottish migrant, supported the bill as reflecting what is already occurring in communities across Queensland.
“In my view, Australian society is intrinsically a multicultural society and I do not really see that there is any difference between the two.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
As a Quandamooka woman and Minister for Innovation, drew a metaphor from Myora Springs where fresh and salt water meet to describe how different cultures can thrive together. Welcomed the bill's recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Multiculturalism is all about being able to be distinct in your own way, to still be freshwater or salt water, but somehow moving together and working together to create a new environment where you both survive and you both thrive.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Supported the bill's strategic purpose and objectives for strengthening multicultural policy across government, but used much of his speech to criticise left-wing politics, civil libertarians and unions. Conditioned his support on transparent advisory council selection and ongoing reporting.
“I support the Multicultural Recognition Bill 2015 and the benefits it will deliver for a culturally diverse Queensland.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Supported the bill and spoke about the inaugural Moreton Bay Lunar New Year celebrations which he helped organise. Stated that bigotry has no place in society.
“I believe that bigotry has no place in our society, in any way, shape or form.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Drew on his experience as a union official and former senator working with multicultural communities. Criticised federal MP George Christensen for attending Reclaim Australia events.
“What better mechanism than a charter to ensure cohesive relationships with the migrants to this country and the people who migrated to this country some years ago?”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Supported the bill as part of the Palaszczuk government's message of valuing diversity. Highlighted the Queensland African Communities Council's contribution to her electorate.
“The challenge in having that multicultural society—and this is what this bill recognises—is that when we have such diversity we need to encourage participation by all of its citizens and we need to ensure that fairness and equity prevail.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Supported the bill and spoke of hosting a morning tea for diverse constituents in her electorate. Announced plans to establish an interfaith group in Ipswich to help new migrants settle.
“Legislation alone is not enough to help improve social inclusion for our migrant population. Legislation cannot change community attitudes on its own.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
As former minister who introduced the bill, spoke of her electorate's multiculturalism and the community's call for a multicultural charter and advisory council. Criticised the member for Cleveland's comments about Islamic groups.
“Community members, community services and businesses were calling out loud and clear for a multicultural Queensland charter and a multicultural Queensland advisory council.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
As Minister for Health and member for one of Queensland's most culturally diverse electorates, highlighted health services for culturally diverse communities and the bill's potential to improve economic participation.
“You can measure the maturity of a society by the breadth of its diversity and how that diversity is recognised and embraced.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Spoke of the Uniting Church's support for the bill and criticised conservative politicians' attacks on multiculturalism. Shared a story about cross-cultural respect from a community consultation session.
“For some of us, multiculturalism is so much a part of the Australian character that we simply see this bill as a natural extension of the role of government.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
As Minister for Transport, supported the bill as part of modernising Queensland. Highlighted the culturally diverse faith communities in his electorate including Sikh, Greek Orthodox and Daoist communities.
“I am committed to us doing that because it is very much a part of modernising the state—that is, making sure that our institutions and our policies respond to what a modern Queensland is all about.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
As Minister for Housing, spoke of his experience witnessing the exploitation of Greek immigrant workers and his department's support for culturally diverse communities through housing and homelessness services.
“This bill is not about maintaining differences and non-assimilation; this is about ensuring that the freshwater and the salt water can live together in harmony.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Spoke of the Pasifika community in Deception Bay and its economic contribution. Highlighted the Maota Fono, the first artificial Samoan meeting hut built outside Samoa, as an example of multicultural success.
“Having our Pasifika nations in Deception Bay and Murrumba means that we have connections across the Pacific and business ideas flow backwards and forwards.”— 2016-02-16View Hansard
Referenced Entities
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Programs & Schemes
Sectors Affected
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