Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Julian Hill held an online press conference on Thursday, November 21 to provide an update on the Multicultural Framework Review and the Scanlon Foundation Mapping Social Cohesion 2024 Report.
Minister Hill said the Scanlon Foundation’s report showed steady social cohesion despite pressures, with 83 per cent of Australians concerned about job competition from migrants.
The Minister emphasised the need to balance migration for economic and social interests, addressing housing pressures through increased housing supply.
Concerns about anti-Semitism and negative attitudes towards Jewish and Muslim Australians were acknowledged, with efforts to combat these issues.
The Minister also stressed the importance of a well-crafted migration program to serve national interests and the role of multicultural media in promoting social cohesion.
‘The recommendations will continue to impact our thinking’:
When asked by The Greek Herald for an update on the implementation of recommendations from the Multicultural Framework Review, the Minister said government endorsed the report’s four core principles of connection, inclusion, belonging and identity.
The Australian Government’s Multicultural Framework Review was first released on Wednesday, July 24 this year. The comprehensive independent report, titled ‘Towards Fairness: A Multicultural Australia for All,’ was the first examination of the state of Australia’s multiculturalism in a generation, and made recommendations to strengthen it for the future.
The recommendations call for improved access to government funding for independent multicultural media by amending grant eligibility criteria and ensuring equitable processes, enabling these outlets to apply for media and digital transformation grants. The government is also urged to prioritise diverse sources for multicultural campaign advertising, directing such efforts toward independent multicultural media rather than exclusively to large digital firms or PR agencies.
In preparing the report, a panel of three eminent Australians – Dr Bulent Hass Dellal AO, Ms Nyadol Nyuon OAM and Ms Christine Castley – travelled the country and consulted with more 1,430 individuals and 750 organisations, including community groups, in more than 200 consultation events.
The report emphasised the good work of members from the Independent Multicultural Media Association (IMMA), which include established publishers like The Greek Herald and broadcasters producing newspapers, digital papers, websites, radio, streaming TV, podcasts, and video in community languages and English.
During the online press conference on Thursday, Minister Hill said, “the [Review’s] recommendations will, and are continuing to, impact [the government’s] thinking. They’ll flow through into budget processes in the coming years.”
He added, “I know from my experience over the years that many of the independent multicultural media outlets are a very trusted voice in the community. So the continued vibrancy, viability and diversity in our multicultural media landscape is incredibly important for a range of policy objectives.”
IMMA has previously welcomed the Multicultural Framework Review, saying it is a comprehensive document that should guide governments’ media policy towards our multicultural media ecosystem.
At the time, IMMA member and Publisher of The Greek Herald, Dimitra Skalkos also thanked the panel for their “thorough review” and encouraged the implementation of the recommendations by both federal and state governments.
“We hope that the federal government swiftly implements these recommendations, ensuring that multicultural media receives the necessary support to continue being the voice of their communities and a crucial link between the government and multicultural communities across Australia,” she said.
“We also strongly encourage state governments, particularly NSW, to adopt these recommendations and proactively support independent multicultural media. By doing so, they can play a crucial role in promoting a diverse and inclusive society where the voices of multicultural communities are recognised and appreciated.”
