The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Plan For a Multicultural Victoria

The Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Plan For a Multicultural Victoria

THE LIBERAL NATIONALS COALITION PLAN FOR A MULTICULTURAL VICTORIA Australian multiculturalism is unique and while other nations have struggled with multiculturalism, Victoria provides an example to Australia and the world as a great multicultural success story. Our challenge in the future is to reconcile diversity with unity. We need to accept, celebrate and maintain our different cultures while promoting social cohesion. We are fortunate to live in a state where our various cultures unify us by our commitment to our nation and its democratic institutions, laws, values and the notion of a fair go for all. Australian citizenship is the basis on which to build a strong and unified society, where individuals learn from each other and together help to forge a more inclusive and harmonious society. With the right attitude, a willingness to accept new experiences and new cultures will ensure that Victorians will continue to live in harmony with each other. Our emerging communities, together with our established communities, provide us with the necessary ingredients for a strong and vibrant Australian society. The focus of a future Liberal Nationals Coalition Government s multicultural policy will therefore be on providing world-class services, in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner that recognises the needs and aspirations of all Victorians to participate fully in society. At the same time we must make use of the human resources that we have at our disposal in order to seize the economic opportunities of the future and make Victoria a better place to live. Ted Baillieu Leader Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Nicholas Kotsiras Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship 2

LABOR S FAILINGS Labor ignored the growing wave of violence against South Asian students in Melbourne streets and on the public transport system. Although warned about the situation more than four years ago, Labor did nothing until the public disquiet in Victoria and India began to draw strong public and media attention and condemnation, including from the Indian Government. Unfortunately this lack of action resulted in serious damage to Victoria s reputation as a tolerant, accepting and safe society, not only in South Asia but in other countries in the Asia Pacific region. It may take years for that reputation to be repaired, as indicated by the precipitate drop in student enrolments from South Asia that has occurred since 2009. UNDER A LIBERAL NATIONALS COALITION GOVERNMENT VOLUNTEERISM Support initiatives of community-minded individuals and groups in their endeavours to enhance the current volunteer ethos that has enriched Victoria s community life. Initiatives as part of this campaign include: o Strengthening the online community and information resources for Victorian volunteers and volunteering organisations by having information in various languages. o Encouraging and fostering the culture of volunteerism by promotion and recognition of the contributions of individuals and community groups. o Strengthening and expanding the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Volunteer Resource Centre to provide administrative support to more CALD groups. 3

o Organising a Volunteer Acquaintance Day for Victorians from CALD backgrounds interested in becoming volunteers. The aim of the day will be to: Increase volunteers awareness of various service clubs and charities Identify important issues for CALD volunteers Celebrate the work of volunteers o Developing pilot programs for involvement by volunteers from CALD across a range of service areas including aged care and health care and other mainstream volunteer programs. o Raising the profile of Victoria s Multicultural Awards for Excellence and introducing a Victorian Honour Roll to recognise newly arrived migrants who have played a leadership role in the community. Australian citizenship is the basis on which to build a strong and unified society, where individuals learn from each other and together help to forge a more inclusive and harmonious society. Living in Victoria requires you to contribute and link into the wider community. One way to become active and to make a positive contribution is through volunteerism. Volunteers have always been an integral part of Victorian society, and have been instrumental in the building of this great state. Our many service clubs perform charitable work, raise money for charities and assist those in our community who are less fortunate. MULTILINGUAL VICTORIA Under the Multilingual Victoria plan a Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will: Revolutionise language education in Victoria by creating one of the world s most diverse and effective Language Other Than English (LOTE) programs. 4

Introduce compulsory LOTE classes for every Victorian primary school, with a long-term plan to provide LOTE training for every government school student from prep to year 10 by 2025. Build a cohort of language teachers qualified and trained to world s best practice standard. Enhance and support the role of community language schools. Increase the number of qualified language teachers by introducing scholarships of $20,000 for undergraduate teachers and $50,000 for qualified teachers to study languages. Invest $1 million in start up grants to schools taking up LOTE for the first time to purchase specialist texts, DVDs and IT resources. This initiative is funded in the Education policy. COMMUNITY LANGUAGE SCHOOLS Provide stronger support to community language schools. Increase per student funding for community language schools from $120 to $190 per year. This initiative is funded in the Education policy. STRENGTHENING THE SISTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM Strengthen the sister-school program within the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. The program will assist those students who are learning a language. It is widely accepted that the best way to master a language is to communicate with students who speak that language. 5

Communication with native speakers on a wide range of topics assists with the learning of a second language. Another way to really learn another language is through popular culture. The more that students use a language in the same way as native speakers, the easier and more enjoyable it is to pick up the language. The Liberal Nationals Coalition s program will facilitate and formalise interschool relationships between Victorian government schools and between Victorian schools and interstate and overseas schools, and will include: o Encouraging the non-government/independent school sector to participate in the sister-school program. o Promoting best-practice models of sister-school relationships in order to maximise the benefits of the program. o Strengthening existing bilateral language and education committees. o Encouraging teacher exchanges. MULTILINGUALISM A VALUABLE RESOURCE IN UNDERSTANDING OVERSEAS MARKETS Ensure that government departments and agencies, where applicable, publish their internet sites in different community languages to assist Victorians whose first language is not English. Promote a healthy multilingual economy by encouraging businesses to use our multilingual workforce to capture new markets, build new relationships and give businesses an international outlook. Establish the Victorian Multicultural Marketing Awards which will acknowledge and reward businesses that have used a multilingual workforce in their overall marketing strategies. 6

Establish an International Chamber of Commerce and Industry Secretariat in the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, with office space for ethno-specific chambers of commerce and industry. The Secretary will be a member and work closely with the Victorian Multicultural Business Advisory Council. Strengthen links with former international students to assist Victorian increasing overseas trade by enhancing the Victorian Alumni Program. Review and strengthen the business strategy for the Chinese, Indian, European and Middle Eastern markets. Migrants, including refugees, contribute significantly to the social and economic fabric of Victoria. New migrants can also make an important economic and social contribution by creating new businesses, filling labour market shortages, helping to improve productivity and growing our intellectual, social and cultural capital. Victoria has an additional advantage in that it is a one-stop shop for the world. Victoria has the people resources, language, cultural understanding and skills that can cater for both the European and Asian markets. YOUTH Provide $1.8 million over 4 years to the Centre for Multicultural Youth to work in partnership with the Victorian Government on special programs, including the establishment of two regional offices of the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) and a trial of two bi-cultural youth workers to provide a one stop shop to assist young people from disadvantaged CALD backgrounds. This will help provide individual support and group-based support and assistance in accessing mainstream services. A Liberal Nationals Coalition will continue to work in partnership with the CMY on a number of special projects, to be agreed upon by the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Centre for Multicultural Youth. 7

Young Victorians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including refugee youth, often experience confusion and tension when attempting to integrate into the wider Australian community. These young Victorians can experience difficulty with study because of their migration experience, disrupted education, English language capabilities and cultural differences. Many of these young Victorians are trying to come to terms with the strong expectations of their own culture and values, while attempting to fit in with the rest of the community. These special programs run by CMY will target youth from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, in particular refugees and youth from smaller communities. SENIORS AND CARERS Embark on a major targeted marketing campaign across multicultural media to highlight the benefits and accessibility of the University of the Third Age (U3A) learning opportunities for CALD senior citizens. Continue to support the excellent work done by U3As for thousands of seniors across Victoria and support membership growth by strengthening existing U3As and establishing new ones. Provide small grants to U3As to promote activities within communities, including those for seniors who are more likely to experience social isolation coming from CALD backgrounds. This initiative is funded in the Seniors policy. Work with the non-government sector to ensure culturally and linguistically appropriate information for people from CALD backgrounds is readily available. Identify ethno-specific aged care accommodation projects and provide facilitation support to progress them. 8

By 2011 nearly 23 per cent of Australia s seniors will be from a CALD background and while these individuals should not be put in silos according to their cultural and linguistic backgrounds, their language, history and religion will contribute to their specific needs as they get older. It is important that our seniors receive services locally rather than having to relocate to obtain them. It is equally important to ensure that CALD seniors have access to integrated services and not simply add-ons that are attached to mainstream services. It is vital to provide appropriate services for those who need assistance to remain independent, and to encourage healthy and independent lifestyles and social participation. Senior Victorians must remain involved in and challenged by life. The Liberal Nationals Coalition believes learning is a lifelong process that extends beyond retirement and provides seniors with an ongoing attachment to their communities. The University of the Third Age is an excellent way for CALD seniors to make an ongoing contribution to society and to their own lifestyles. For carers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the feeling of being excluded is often heightened. Language barriers impede access to information and can make it difficult to navigate services. As a result, carers from CALD communities often feel left out of planning in terms of future care arrangements for their children. As a direct result of the ageing process, many people revert to the language and culture of their youth, often requiring culturally sensitive support services in their time of need. The Liberal Nationals Coalition understands the needs of multicultural communities for the sensitive provision of aged care facilities and services, and supports local communities in the legitimate aim of establishing aged care homes for CALD seniors. As a start the Liberal Nationals Coalition will ensure that in North Geelong, at least two hectares of the site of the former Barton Street Campus of Western Heights Secondary College are retained to accommodate the construction of an aged care home and to provide public open space addressing two key community needs. 9

HELPING CALD VICTORIANS TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY Work in partnership with the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) to: o Gain more data and information on CALD aged care residents. o Determine the level of funding and action required to increase the number of interpreters. o Support local elderly citizens clubs that run positive ageing programs. o Undertake research on the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse background aged care residents. Work with community organisations to review ethno-specific services and the appropriateness of clusters based on location and community needs. Work with universities and TAFE to run courses in new and emerging languages. Increase funding to Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) by $120,000 per annum. Work with Multicultural Arts Victoria to establish a new permanent home for MAV that meets its future needs and requirements. Continue to work with the Commonwealth Government and all states and territories to recognise overseas qualifications where appropriate. Successive governments in Victoria have tried time and again to meet the needs of CALD Victorians and provide the support and assistance they need in a respectful and beneficial way. A number of peak organisations serve our multicultural sector effectively and many provide direct services to Victorians. As a result we have a plethora of representative and organisational bodies working tirelessly to address the problems and needs of CALD Victorians. 10

These bodies all have good connections in the community when it comes to building trust among newly arrived migrants, which is imperative in building a nurturing relationship. A Liberal Nationals Coalition Government commits to working with these groups as the best foundation for government to provide information and support to CALD Victorians, as well as to gain knowledge and insight into their needs. A Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will also provide seminars which will make new migrants and refugees aware of their rights and responsibilities. Seminars will provide information on: Multilingual services. Financial management. Laws and our legal system. Safety tips. Consumer protection. Tenant rights and responsibilities. These seminars will be organised in collaboration and partnership with appropriate organisations and local councils. VICTORIAN MULTICULTURAL COMMISSION (VMC) Continue to support all community organisations by: o Maintaining the same level of funding that is provided through the Victorian Multicultural Commission, including funding to the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria. o Honouring all government commitments in multicultural affairs that have already been budgeted and announced in the 2010-11 budget, including the $12 million Cultural Precincts and Community Infrastructure Fund. Strengthen the VMC by permitting it to: o Undertake systematic and wide-ranging consultation with people and groups with respect to its objectives. 11

o Research or investigate and report to the Minister on any matter relating to the objectives of the Commission. o Require all government departments to assist the Commission to achieve its objectives. Strengthen the membership of the VMC. The Commission will comprise the Chair and Deputy Chair and eight community members with specific skills and expertise. One Youth Commissioner (who is not less than 18 years of age and not more than 24 years of age at the time of the appointment) will be appointed to represent youth in Victoria. The Commission will also include one member from the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria. The VMC will be focused on providing genuine assistance to Victorians and provide honest and candid advice to the government. The Commission will represent all Victorians and not the government. Departments will be required to support the VMC to achieve its objectives. The inclusion of a representative from the ECCV will guarantee that all work undertaken by the Commission will be open and transparent and in the interests of all Victorians. MINISTERIAL INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MULTICULTURAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE Establish a Ministerial Inter-departmental Multicultural Services Advisory Committee. The Committee s role will be to co-ordinate a whole-of-government approach to multiculturalism and in particular to develop initiatives and programs and provide information to the VMC on emerging issues relating to its objectives. The Committee will be invaluable in supporting the VMC role in assessing the performance of departments and providing the VMC with data and information relating to the VMC s objectives. 12

LANGUAGE SERVICES Establish national and state-based initiatives aimed at supporting interpreters and language education programs in Victoria. Commit to a further $2 million to increase the training of interpreters and translators in established languages and in new and emerging communities. Improve the monitoring of language services through a regular reporting mechanism. Work with the Commonwealth, other states and territories and local governments to introduce a nationally recognised interpreter card that can be used at all tiers of government. For many new migrants starting life in a new country is not easy. They might not be prepared for the extent of cultural dissimilarity and language barriers that they will encounter. One way to break down these barriers is through communication. That is why we need an effective language service strategy in place to meet the needs of newly arrived migrants. SETTLEMENT CO-ORDINATION BRANCH Establish a Settlement Co-ordination Branch (SCB) within the Department of Premier and Cabinet. Victoria is attracting many new migrants and is the new home for many refugees. The Victorian government has a responsibility to make the start of their new lives as smooth as possible. The Labor Government s Refugee Brokerage Program and settlement planning is ad-hoc with no targets or measurable outcomes to gauge its success or failure. Each new arrival has different needs and requirements and so one size fits all services never work. Resettlement is a complex and difficult process. 13

The SCB s role will be to co-ordinate and facilitate a systemic whole-of-government response to the needs of newly arrived humanitarian migrant category entrants. Particular assistance will be provided in the areas of employment and education pathways. To assist SCB a Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will establish eight regional advisory councils to: Help to identify skills shortages through liaison with local businesses and employers. Work in partnership with local communities, operating as an important conduit for information on regional settlement and on service delivery to be passed on to the relevant State Government and Federal Government agencies. Ensure that regional areas are promoted as attractive locations for migrants to settle. Assist with multi-faith Victoria forums and host other forums and public meetings as required that encourage racial and religious harmony. Each council will work closely and in partnership with the Regional Ethnic Communities Councils throughout Victoria. A member of the relevant Regional Ethnic Communities Council will be a member of the Regional Advisory Council and each regional council will be chaired by a Commissioner. ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION Institute measures aimed at improving communication between the Victorian Government and Victorians from a diverse cultural and linguistic background. Our program aims at practical measures for making government more accessible to all Victorians, including: 14

o Ensuring all major decisions of government and Parliament are communicated across multicultural media. o Ensuring that certain government departments and agencies have key information provided on their internet sites in different community languages. o Organising monthly multicultural media conferences with appropriate ministers in attendance. o For those who cannot access the internet, ensuring that all vital information about government services is readily available through brochures and other materials in languages other than English. o Wherever possible, ensuring that the best and most appropriate NAATI level interpreters are made available to clients who have difficulty communicating in English to government employees. In order to inform new migrants about government services and programs it is important to communicate with them. ESTABLISH CALD JOB BANK A Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will establish: A "CALD Job Bank Registry" where newly arrived qualified professionals and skilled migrants from CALD backgrounds can register their interest, together with their overseas qualifications. Employers will be able to access this registry and make contact directly with individuals who have registered. There are many barriers faced by overseas qualified professionals and skilled migrants from CALD backgrounds in the labour market. Newly arrived skilled migrants find it difficult to access job-markets because they lack the local networks, lack local experience and have no local referees. Simply recognising overseas qualifications and skills does not imply that migrants will find employment. 15

Businesses which employ individuals from the Job Bank will be acknowledged by the Victorian Government at a Victorian Diversity Employment Awards ceremony that will be held annually with prizes awarded for successful workplace participation of newly arrived overseas professionals and skilled migrants. CULTURAL FESTIVALS Increase funding to multicultural festival and events. Fund a calendar of major cultural festivals in Victoria, (supplementing the number of festivals that are currently funded), alternating between Melbourne and regional Victoria, commencing with the Australian Month celebrations in January. The January celebrations will incorporate Australia Day and will include celebrations highlighting what it means to be an Australian. In Victoria we are lucky to have such a vibrant and energetic culturally diverse community a community that has been an integral part of Victoria s success There are few better ways to share our differences and learn about other cultures and traditions than through celebrations and festivals. The Liberal Nationals Coalition recognises the important role that festivals play in developing Victoria s diverse cultural identity and further encourages the growth of these festivals. Community organisations will be requested to make submissions to organise similar festivals for the remaining 11 months. SUPPORT FOR VICTORIA S GROWING COMMUNITIES Provide $150,000 over the next three years to help Victoria s African community develop its leaders of the future. Provide a $650,000 building fund to assist the South Asian community cater for increased demand on community institutions. 16

Good leadership is very important in helping to lift up the Australian African community and help it to overcome the challenges faced by many who are making Victoria their home. It is also vital to assist communities that are growing rapidly, such as the South Asian community, which has been the fastest growing migrant community in Victoria over the last five years. This community is experiencing growing pains and could do with some additional help to ease the stresses. Funding for the Australian African community will go to the African Community Leadership Development Program to assist in developing confidence and selfsufficiency in the African community. The program will help to train the future leaders of the African community in Victoria. The Liberal Nationals Coalition will also work closely with the Australian African community and its leaders in Victoria to promote better employment opportunities. The Liberal Nationals Coalition appreciates the contribution our refugee communities make. We understand their needs and we will give these communities every opportunity to prosper and succeed in Victoria. The Liberal Nationals Coalition also appreciates the valuable role of many community groups and institutions in the South Asian community. It is a role that has grown rapidly in recent years and is set to expand even more in the years to come. Valuable services are under pressure from rising demand from the rapidly expanding South Asian community. The very productive role these institutions play in the wider community and as centres of social activity should be supported. The Liberal Nationals Coalition wants to ensure these vital roles continue to be fulfilled as demand for services expands. The Liberal Nationals Coalition is a strong supporter of the South Asian community and has led the way addressing very concerning issues such as violence against South Asian students in Melbourne over the last few years, The Liberal Nationals Coalition is proud to support the South Asian community wherever it can to ensure it prospers as the community in Melbourne continues to grow. 17

TOTAL COSTINGS Recurrent Funding Policy 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15 Total Volunteer Acquaintance Day and programs, Awards for Excellence $0.1 m $0.1 m $0.1 m $ 0.1 m $0.4 m Honour Roll $0.12 m $0.12 m $0.12 m $0.12 m $0.48 m Formalising inter-school relationships $0.07 m $0.07m $0.07m $ 0.07m $0.28m Regional offices of CMY $0.45 m $0.45 m $0.45 m $ 0.45 m $1.8 m Ageing programs $0.4 m $0.4 m $0.4 m $ 0.4 m $1.6 m Multicultural Arts Victoria $0.12 m $0.12 m $0.12 m $0.12 m $0.48 m Seminars on migrant rights & responsibilities Supporting interpreters and language education $0.2 m $0.2 m $0.2 m $ 0.2 m $0.8 m $0.5 m $0.5 m $0.5 m $0.5 m $2.0 m CALD Job Bank Registry $0.1 m $0.1 m $0.1 m $0.1 m $0.4m Victorian Diversity Employment Awards Calendar of major cultural festivals African Community Leadership $0.1 m $0.1 m $0.1 m $0.1 m $0.4 m $1.1 m $1.1 m $1.1 m $1.1 m $4.4 m $0.05 m $0.05 m $0.05 m Nil $0.15 m Total $3.31 m $3.31 m $3.31 m $3.26 m $13.19 m Capital Funding Policy South Asian Community Building Fund Total Total $0.65 m $0.65 m Authorised by Tony Nutt, 104 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000. 18