Multicultural NSW Act 2000 (NSW)

Multicultural NSW Act 2000 No 77

An Act to establish multicultural principles as the policy of the State; to constitute Multicultural NSW; to provide for its objectives and functions; to repeal the Ethnic Affairs Commission Act 1979 and to amend certain other Acts and regulations; and for other purposes.

Preamble This Act— (a) promotes the equal rights and responsibilities of all the people of New South Wales within a cohesive and multicultural society in which— (i) individuals share a commitment to New South Wales and to Australia, and (ii) diversity is regarded as a strength and an asset, and (iii) English is the common language, and (b) recognises and values the different linguistic, religious and ancestral backgrounds of the people of New South Wales. The Legislature of New South Wales therefore enacts:

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Name of Act This Act is the Multicultural NSW Act 2000.

2 Commencement This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.

3 Multicultural principles (1) The multicultural principles are as follows— (a) all individuals in New South Wales, irrespective of their linguistic, religious and ancestral backgrounds, should demonstrate a unified commitment to Australia, its interests and future, (b) all individuals in New South Wales should recognise the importance of shared values governed by the rule of law within a democratic framework, (c) the people of New South Wales are of different linguistic, religious and ancestral backgrounds who, either individually or in community with other members of their respective groups, are free to profess, practise and maintain their own linguistic, religious and ancestral heritage, (d) all individuals and institutions should respect and make provision for the culture, language and religion of others within an Australian legal and institutional framework where English is the common language, (e) all individuals in New South Wales should have the greatest possible opportunity to— (i) contribute to, and participate in, all aspects of public life in which they may legally participate, and (ii) make use of, and participate in, relevant activities and programs provided or administered by the Government of New South Wales, (f) all institutions of New South Wales should recognise the linguistic and cultural assets in the population of New South Wales as a valuable resource and promote this resource to maximise the development of the State. (2) Parliament recognises that the multicultural principles are based on citizenship. The expression citizenship is not limited to formal Australian citizenship, but refers to the rights and responsibilities of all people in a multicultural society. (2A) In this Act, a commitment to Australia includes a commitment to the common values and things that bind Australians together (such as a volunteering ethos, participation in Australian national days and events and recognition of the heritage of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). (3) The multicultural principles are the policy of the State. (4) Accordingly, each public authority must observe the multicultural principles in conducting its affairs. (5) It is the duty of the chief executive officer of each public authority to implement the provisions of this section within the area of his or her administration.