The Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Mr Nicholas Kotsiras, has declared that multiculturalism is one of Victoria’s greatest strengths.

According to the Minister, multiculturalism in Victoria has largely avoided the kind of ‘separatism’ spoken of last week by British Prime Minister, David Cameron about multiculturalism in the UK, stating, “(Victoria) has been strengthened and enriched by our cultural diversity.”

Mr Kotsiras admits that the diverse society created by multiculturalism sometimes presents challenges, but said these problems were far outweighed by the incredible social, cultural and economic benefits provided by immigration and multiculturalism to all Australians.

Australia is a young country, with immigration and multiculturalism in operation since settlement. Australia has attracted waves of people from all around the world for decades, from UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Philippines, U.A.E, South Africa, Afghanistan and many more countries.

History shows that the vast majority of immigrants have settled well in Australia, that they have appreciated and used that opportunity in their own and our Australia’s best interest. Many have proudly taken out Australian citizenship.

Mr Kotsiras believes Australian Citizenship is the basis on which to build a strong and unified community, where individuals learn from each other and together forge a more inclusive and harmonious society.

“Australia’s multiculturalism and our cultural diversity ensures people are free to share their cultures and traditions while unified by our commitment to our nation’s democratic institutions, laws, values and the notion of a ‘fair go’ for all,” Mr Kotsiras said, “Acceptance of diversity and respect for the individual are pivotal to promoting the harmony of the community.”

Victoria currently experiences the second highest rate of immigration intake of all the Australian States and Territories and Mr Kotsiras intends to continue this success. He is committed to promoting Victoria as an ideal place for migrants to settle in Australia, and enjoy all that Australia has to offer.

While Europe continues to debate whether multiculturalism can work, the office of Prime Minister Julia Gillard has released a statement declaring that she emphatically supports Australia’s multicultural vision and policies and believes they have been a success in Australia.

A new national multicultural policy, The People Of Australia, was launched by the Australian Government on 16th February. The Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Mr Chris Bowen, said that the policy “…builds on the Federal Government’s strong support for multiculturalism in Australia.”

The Minister stated that he believed Australian multiculturalism was the world’s best, and worked in a fundamentally different way to places like Germany, France or the UK.

"We recognise and celebrate different cultural heritages but insist that our future is common, is shared… this is the genius of Australia's multiculturalism.”

He said Australia’s approach to the issue of multiculturalism worked because immigrants who arrive in Australia are invited to celebrate their own traditions in a broader culture of freedom, while respecting Australian laws and values.

According to Mr Bowen, The People of Australia policy builds on a ‘whole-of-government’ approach to maintaining a socially cohesive and harmonious society. He stated that it can be seen an expression of support for Australia’s multiculturalism and an endorsement of the recommendations presented to the Government by the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council (AMAC) last year.

Mr Bowen confirmed that the Australian Government plans to establish a ‘national anti-racism partnership and strategy’ aimed at countering racism and promoting freedom and tolerance, and that as part of the strategy, the government would introduce a new independent advisory body with broader terms of reference to succeed the current AMAC.

‘The new body will act as a champion for multiculturalism in the community; will advise the government on multicultural affairs; and will help to ensure Australian Government services respond to the needs of migrant and refugee communities,’ he said.