Australian Politics and Policy - Senior, 2019a

Australian Politics and Policy
The Fraser government strongly supported the recommendations of the report,
initiating expanded migrant settlement services and seeking to promote cultural
pluralism as a source of strength to Australia’s national identity rather than a
threat. The Galbally report suggested shifting migrant services from the general
area of social welfare to ‘ethnic specific’ services. 33 For example, Galbally proposed
that many on-arrival services be provided through voluntary organisations, rather
than through public agencies. 34 He also recommended withdrawing government
funding from the Good Neighbour Councils, which were originally set up in 1949
tocatertotheneedsofnon-BritishEuropeanrefugees. 35 Overall, between 1976
and 1983, the Fraser government reduced spending by shifting funding from
government agencies to voluntary organisations within the community. Therefore,
cultural diversity was encouraged, but only if political and economic structures
were left intact. 36
When the Labor government was elected in 1983, it set about reforming some
of the Liberal policies of multiculturalism. The Review of Migrant and Multicultural
Programs and Services (ROMAMPAS) was released in 1986. It proposed a strategy
of providing basic resources and support for cultural expression, stressing the
importance of equality. The report suggested four principles for developing
government policies:
• All members of the Australian community should have an equitable opportunity
to participate in the economic, social, cultural and political life of the nation.
• All members of the Australian community should have equitable access to an
equitableshareoftheresourcesthatgovernmentsmanageonbehalfofthe
community.
• All members of the Australian community should have the opportunity to
participate in and influence the design and operation of government policies,
programs and services.
• All members of the Australian community should have the right, within the
law, to enjoy their own culture, to practise their own religion and to use their
own language, and should respect the right of others to their own culture,
religion and language.
The focus of the report was ensuring equal opportunity and outcomes for
all Australians. The report also recommended the establishment of an Office of
Multicultural Affairs (OMA), which was set up in 1987 and assumed responsibility
for the Commonwealth Access and Equity Strategy. 37 As part of this responsibility,
the OMA prepared the National Agenda for Multicultural Australia, whichfocused
33 Kalantzis 2000, 104.
34 Jupp 1992.
35 Jupp 1992.
36 Jupp 1988, 927.
37 Jupp 1992.
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