About the WA Charter of Multiculturalism
Background to the Charter
Multiculturalism as a concept that informs
public policy is not new. However, there is little
consensus as to what “multiculturalism” means;
the philosophies that underpin the policy and
how it shapes the development and delivery of
services by Government; what implications it
may have for the procedures of recruitment,
selection and promotion; and finally what
measures indicate that the principles of
multiculturalism are being realised.
The Charter addresses some of the challenges
posed by the concept of multiculturalism, and
from a broad perspective these include:
- the many differing definitions associated
with multiculturalism that have emerged
over the past two decades, some of which
have resulted in confusion, and at times,
discontent amongst Western Australians;
- the lack of recognition of the unique
status of Aboriginal people as the first
Australians in previous policies relating to
multiculturalism;
- the perception that multiculturalism
refers to a policy perspective that relates
specifically and only to people who are
perceived to be of a particular cultural,
linguistic or ethnic background;
- the prevalence of a myth that
multiculturalism is about giving special
treatment to some minorities;
- the belief by some sections of the
population that cultural uniformity is a
necessary prerequisite for societal unity;
and
- the association of multiculturalism
primarily with the practice and preservation
of traditional cultures.
The Charter has been developed under the
auspices of the Anti-Racism Strategy Steering
Group, chaired by the Hon. Premier and
Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural
Interests, Dr Geoff Gallop. The Draft Charter
was released for comment to the community
and the public sector; and has been refined on
the basis of the feedback received.
Purpose of the Charter of
Multiculturalism
The purpose of the Charter is to explicitly
recognise that the people of Western Australia
are of different linguistic, religious, racial and
ethnic backgrounds, and to promote their
participation in democratic governance within
an inclusive society.
Despite the adoption of policies on
multiculturalism for some decades, there is
still a lack of appreciation that the needs of
Indigenous people and people from Culturally
and Linguistically Diverse background can be
different, and that flexibility in service provision
is required to cater to these differences. It is
important to note that the flexibility in service
arrangements to cater to different needs does
not necessarily translate to parallel services.
The Charter represents a significant shift in the
direction of multicultural policy in Western
Australia. Its premise is not cultural pluralism
but a democratic pluralism that recognises
difference as a hallmark of democracy, both
at an institutional and individual level. It
takes into account the varying needs that may
arise from this pluralism. The Charter signals
the necessity to adopt different approaches to
respond appropriately to these varying needs in
order to ensure that all people can participate
fully in society.
The Charter reflects citizenship as both a
status and a practice. The status of citizenship
confers rights and duties upon members of a
community, while the practice of citizenship
refers to ‘practices’ that govern relationships
between the individual and the state as well as
between individuals. The practice of citizenship
can be inhibited by structural barriers,
including those relating to socio-economic
and cultural variables. To address this issue, the
Charter moves beyond a universal citizenship
which confers upon all citizens, irrespective
of difference, equal rights and status within
a political community but which gives little
importance to people’s particular circumstances
such as gender, ethnicity, religion etc. In
its place the Charter adopts a democratic
citizenship that reflects sensitivity to different
needs, claims and interests within the accepted
principles, practices, and legal norms of the
broader political community.
The Charter enables and facilitates the:
- recognition that a cohesive and inclusive
society depends on mutual respect between
individuals and between groups;
- empowerment of all Western Australians
as free and equal members of society
by assisting the removal of barriers to
participation; and
- acknowledgement of differences such as
ethnicity and language, while at the same
time emphasising a sense of community
membership and common civic culture,
and enjoying the rights and duties of a
democratic citizenship.
Inclusion of the Statement of
Commitment with the Charter
Aboriginal peoples and their cultures are a
unique part of the State of Western Australia. In
2001 the Government of Western Australia and
the Western Australian ATSIC State Council
signed a Statement of Commitment to work
together to build a new and just relationship
between the Aboriginal people of Western
Australia and the Government of Western
Australia. The Statement sets out principles and
a process for the parties to negotiate a Statewide framework based on the commitment
of the parties to effective and sustainable
partnership. Recognition of the continuing
rights and responsibilities of Aboriginal people
as the first peoples of Western Australia and as
citizens is a fundamental principle underlying
the Charter.
International Instruments
The principles of the Charter are consistent
with international instruments that have
been ratified by the Commonwealth
Government of Australia. The Charter
reflects principles that inform legal practice
and State and Commonwealth laws such as
the Commonwealth Racial Discrimination
Act 1975 and the Western Australian Equal
Opportunity Act 1984. It also reflects those key
international instruments to which Australia is
a signatory. These include:
- The Universal Declaration of Human
Rights;
- The International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights;
- The International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial
Discrimination;
- Declaration on the Elimination of All
Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination
Based on Religion or Belief;
- The International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women; and
- The International Convention on the
Rights of the Child.
Commitment
Recognising Aboriginal peoples as the First
Australians whose lands and waters we share,
the Government of Western Australia affirms
its commitment to multiculturalism in a
democratic society, whose members are drawn
from diverse cultural, linguistic, religious, and
historical traditions.
In pursuing the Principles and Objectives
of the Charter the Government of Western
Australia rejects ‘race’ as a means of making
distinctions between people and between
groups; and is opposed to all manifestations
of racism. Equally, it recognises the historical
bases of ethnic identities and the role of
ethnicity in shaping contemporary societies.
The Government accepts that pride in a
distinctive ethnic heritage, and possession
of an ethnic identity and culture, is in no
way a hindrance to sharing a common
national identity and a commitment to being
Australian. The Government acknowledges
that Western Australians are primarily bound
together by the principles and practices that
govern relations between individuals and
between individuals and the State, and not
by a loyalty to a common culture and heritage
which can vary not only between groups but
even between people perceived to be of the
same group.
Over the last decade and beyond much has
been learnt about the nature and impact
of institutional barriers. At their core lie
the unthinking continuation of routine
organisational practices that in their effect
can be discriminatory. The essential lesson
of institutional barriers is that we may
unknowingly discriminate. In promoting
equal participation, and enabling all Western
Australians to enjoy all aspects of society, the
Government of Western Australia will seek to
identify and eliminate institutional barriers
wherever they exist.
Vision
A society in which respect for mutual difference is accompanied
by equality of opportunity within a framework of democratic
citizenship.
Rationale for the Charter
In the initial phase of giving recognition to human rights principles
and practices in liberal democracies such as Australia, Governments
attempted to ensure that citizens were not prevented from enjoying
their rights. More recently, human rights principles and practices are
utilised by Governments to do such things as will enable citizens to
exercise their rights. In this context the Charter acknowledges that
while the principles of access and equity and the concept of formal
citizenship may define the rights and obligations of citizenship,
they do not ensure the exercise of those rights. The Charter is an
undertaking by the Government of Western Australia that the
exercise of a democratic citizenship which recognises the differences
in needs and priorities that exist between individuals and between
communities will be achieved through its commitment to achieving
substantive equality for all Western Australians.
In pursuing the goals of democratic citizenship the Government
of Western Australia recognises the need to individualise service
delivery if it is to guarantee equitable treatment for all. It recognises
that universalist provision of services in the public sector may
obscure the distinctive needs of minority communities and cultures.
At the core of its policy of enabling Western Australians to practise
a democratic citizenship, the State is committed to recognising the
diversity present within its population, and to retain a respect for
difference in the planning and delivery of services.
Principles
Principle 1 Civic values
enshrines the principles that
guide both the Government
and the public life of the
citizenry in civil society. It
is a set of civic beliefs rather
than a set of cultural values
that provide the glue that
binds together members
of a common political
community.
Principle 2 Fairness refers
to even-handedness in
that differing needs have
to be balanced carefully.
It does not mean that
individual needs are more
or less important, but
rather that each need should
be given the appropriate
weight according to their
circumstances.
Principle 3 Equality focuses
on the need for sensitivity
to the differing needs of all
people and that, in order
for all to have the same
opportunities, some people
may need to be treated
differently.
Principle 4 Participation
refers to the abilities of
groups and individuals to
influence those decisions
and structures that affect
their lives and through
which structural and other
inequalities are dismantled.
1 — Civic Values
The equality of respect, mutual respect, individual freedom and
dignity for all members of society subject to the acceptance of the
rule of law, social, political and legal institutions and constitutional
structures.
2 — Fairness
The pursuit of public policies free of prejudice, discrimination and
exclusion on the basis of characteristics such as origins, perceived
‘race’, culture, religion, ethnicity and nationality.
3 — Equality
Equality of opportunity for all members of society to achieve their
full potential in a free and democratic society where every individual
is equal before, and under, the law.
4 — Participation
The full and equitable participation in society of individuals and
communities, irrespective of origins, culture, religion, ethnicity and
nationality.
Objectives
Pursuant to the above principles the objectives of the Government
of Western Australia are to:
- Facilitate the inclusion and empowerment of members of
all communities as full and equal members of the Australian
community, enjoying the rights and duties of a shared
citizenship.
- Encourage a sense of Australian identity and belonging as
citizens, within a multicultural society.
- Ensure that all individuals and minority groups, recognising
the unique status of Aboriginal peoples, receive equal and
appropriate treatment and protection under the law.
- Enable the recognition and appreciation of the diverse cultures
and backgrounds from which members of the Western
Australian community are drawn.
- Remove all barriers to equal participation in, and enjoyment of,
all aspects of society — social, political, cultural and economic.
- Foster the recognition of the achievements of, and contributions
to, the Western Australian community of all individuals
regardless of their origins, perceived ‘race’, culture, religion and
nationality.