MULTICULTURALISM PROMOTES NATIONAL UNITY

28 July 1997

The Governor-General, Sir William Deane, said today that multiculturalism neither detracted from nor threatened Australia's national identity and national unity.

"To the contrary," he said, "while recognising and protecting our diversity of backgrounds, cultures and beliefs, it promotes that identity and unity by building upon and adding cohesion to what we are."

Speaking at the opening of the 1997 Religion and Cultural Diversity Conference in Melbourne, Sir William said that the word "multiculturalism" has to be understood in the Australian context in a special way. It does not mean the mere fact of the existence of many cultures, but rather a national policy of acceptance and protection of the diverse cultural, racial and religious backgrounds and origins of Australians.

Apart from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, we are all immigrants, or descended from immigrants, and our origins reflect almost all the regions, races, cultures and religions of the world. Multiculturalism recognises the entitlement of all Australians to preserve and cherish with affection, respect and pride their customs, cultures and religions, subject to the overriding loyalties and obligations of their Australian citizenship and duties under valid Australian laws.

The Governor-General went on: "It follows that multiculturalism does not mean that indigenous or introduced cultural or religious practices are immune from examination or reasoned criticism within Australia. It does not, for example, protect practices which damage .the person or property of other citizens - such as, to take an extreme case, the suggested religious duty of the Thugs to rob or to kill - or which are simply unacceptable according to the standards of our society - such as polygamy or the practice of suttee. Nor does multiculturalism require that we impose no limitations or controls with respect to potential immigrants. There is no country in the world which imposes no such limitations or controls.

"What multiculturalism means is that, within the limits that are consistent with the overriding obligations and loyalties of Australian citizenship and with the duties and standards imposed by valid Australian laws, all our citizens are entitled to expect and demand that the mutual respect and tolerance which are of its essence should be observed and encouraged. In that regard, multiculturalism does not detract from or threaten our national identity or national unity. To the contrary, while recognising and protecting our diversity of backgrounds, cultures and beliefs, it promotes that identity and unity by building upon and adding cohesion to what we are.

"It follows that our multiculturalism is not only decent, just and right in that it reflects mutual understanding, tolerance and respect. It is in our own interests as a nation. It is our responsibility as Australians to protect and maintain it and to observe its standards and its dictates. I am confident that the discussions and the conclusions of this Conference will encourage us in the consistent and vigilant discharge of that responsibility.