There is a vast body of material on Australia’s multicultural policy at various levels — from official government documents to academic research. Below is a structured overview of these sources.
1. Official Government Documents and Resources (Most Important)
Australian Government Multicultural Policy Portal
- Department of Home Affairs – Multicultural Affairs: The central source. This is where current strategies, reports, and policy plans are published.
- Key documents: Look for the latest version of “Multicultural Australia: United, Strong, Successful” (or a similar title) — this is the federal government’s updated national strategy. The Access and Equity Framework is also an essential document.
Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
- Racial Discrimination section and related publications, particularly those from the Race Discrimination Commissioner. These include reports and guidelines on combating racism and promoting inclusiveness.
SBS (Special Broadcasting Service)
- SBS Multilingual and the SBS Cultural Atlas portal are unique resources. SBS is not just a media organisation but a practical embodiment of multicultural policy in action.
- The Cultural Atlas is an excellent educational tool that provides insights into the cultures of Australia’s diverse communities.
State and Territory Governments
- Each state and territory has its own multicultural policy and dedicated bodies (for example, Multicultural NSW or the Victorian Multicultural Commission). Their websites contain local strategies, grant programs, and research on integration.
2. Academic Research and Analysis
Key Research Centres
- Scanlon Foundation Research Institute: Publishes the annual “Mapping Social Cohesion” report — the most authoritative and anticipated survey of public opinion on immigration, trust, and multiculturalism. Essential for understanding current trends.
- Australian National University (ANU) – School of Demography: Research on migration and integration.
- University of Melbourne – Melbourne Social Equity Institute: Work focused on social justice and inclusion.
- Western Sydney University – Challenging Racism Project: A major initiative studying and countering racism.
Key Authors and Scholars
- Professor Andrew Markus — a leading historian of multiculturalism and principal author of the Scanlon Foundation reports.
- Professor Gisbert Neybor — researches issues of social cohesion.
- Professor Tim Soutphommasane — former Race Discrimination Commissioner and public intellectual.
Academic Journals
- Look for articles in Journal of Intercultural Studies, Ethnic and Racial Studies, and Australian Journal of Social Issues.
3. Historical Materials and Archives
- National Archives of Australia (NAA): Documents related to the abolition of the “White Australia” policy, ministerial speeches (such as those by Al Grassby), and materials on the introduction of multiculturalism in the 1970s.
- Museum of Australian Democracy (Old Parliament House): Exhibitions dedicated to social change.
- The book “The Multicultural Experiment” (edited by Australian historians) provides valuable historical perspective.
4. Critical Perspectives and Debates
Criticism from the Right
- Works by political scientist Catriona Eleftheriou and commentators associated with Quadrant magazine. Their arguments often claim that multiculturalism leads to social fragmentation.
- Statements by politicians such as Pauline Hanson (One Nation Party), who advocate for reduced immigration and prioritising “Australian culture.”
Criticism from the Left / Post-Colonial Perspective
- Scholars who argue that multiculturalism ignores the rights of Indigenous peoples (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples) and Australia’s colonial history.
- Research analysing the “hierarchy of multiculturalism” — the preference for “desirable” migrants — and systemic racism.
5. Current Commentary and Media
- The Guardian Australia: Strong coverage of social issues, with regular analysis and reporting on multiculturalism.
- The Conversation: A platform where academics write for a general audience. Search using tags such as “multiculturalism” and “immigration Australia.”
- ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation): Sections dedicated to multicultural issues and in-depth analysis. As the national broadcaster, ABC devotes significant attention to this topic.
- OECD and UN reports: Often include comparative analyses of integration policies, including Australia.
How to Search and Where to Start
- For general understanding: Begin with the Department of Home Affairs portal and the latest National Multicultural Strategy.
- For public opinion analysis: Study the most recent Scanlon Foundation “Mapping Social Cohesion” report.
- For historical context: Explore materials from the National Archives and read key historical speeches (for example, Al Grassby’s “A Multicultural Society for the Future,” 1973).
- For critical analysis: Look for articles in The Conversation and academic journals using search terms like “critiques of Australian multiculturalism.”
- For practical implementation: Explore the SBS website and the Cultural Atlas resources.
These materials allow you to view the topic comprehensively — from government rhetoric and legislation to real social processes, challenges, and academic debates.