Multicultural NSW Act 2000

This Act is the Multicultural NSW Act 2000.

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

The multicultural principles are as follows—

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,

all individuals in New South Wales should recognise the importance of shared values governed by the rule of law within a democratic framework,

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,

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,

all individuals in New South Wales should have the greatest possible opportunity to—

contribute to, and participate in, all aspects of public life in which they may legally participate, and

make use of, and participate in, relevant activities and programs provided or administered by the Government of New South Wales,

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.

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.

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).

The multicultural principles are the policy of the State.

Accordingly, each public authority must observe the multicultural principles in conducting its affairs.

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.

In this Act—

Advisory Board means the Advisory Board of Multicultural NSW established under this Act.

Chairperson means the person appointed under this Act as the Chairperson of the Advisory Board.

Chief Executive Officer means the Chief Executive Officer of Multicultural NSW.

citizenship—see section 3 (2).

commitment to Australia—see section 3 (2A).

cultural diversity means the different linguistic, religious and ancestral backgrounds of the people of New South Wales.

exercise a function includes perform a duty.

function includes a power, authority or duty.

Multicultural NSW means Multicultural NSW constituted by this Act.

multicultural principles—see section 3.

public authority means any public or local authority constituted by or under an Act, and includes a Government department, a statutory State owned corporation, a local council, a body whose accounts are required to be audited by the Auditor General or any other body prescribed by the regulations.

Notes included in this Act do not form part of this Act.

There is constituted by this Act a corporation with the corporate name of Multicultural NSW.

Multicultural NSW is, for the purposes of any Act, a statutory body representing the Crown.

Multicultural NSW is subject to the control and direction of the Minister, except in relation to the contents of any advice, report or recommendation given to the Minister or any other person or body.

The functions of Multicultural NSW are exercisable by the Chief Executive Officer, and any act, matter or thing done in the name of, or on behalf of, Multicultural NSW by the Chief Executive Officer, or with the authority of the Chief Executive Officer, is taken to have been done by Multicultural NSW.

The Chief Executive Officer of Multicultural NSW is the person employed in the Public Service as the Chief Executive Officer.

There is to be an Advisory Board of Multicultural NSW.

The Advisory Board is to consist of the Chief Executive Officer and not more than 15 part-time members appointed by the Governor, of whom—

one is to be a person appointed as Chairperson of the Advisory Board by the member’s instrument of appointment or a further instrument signed by the Governor, and

2 are to be persons who are not less than 18 years old and not more than 24 years old when appointed and who are appointed as representatives of youth from New South Wales.

Note—

Schedule 1 sets out further provisions relating to the members of the Advisory Board and Schedule 2 contains provisions about the procedure of the Advisory Board.

In recommending the appointment of a person as a member of the Advisory Board, the Minister is to have regard to the desirability of having members who are of diverse backgrounds, of different occupational backgrounds and who ordinarily reside in different parts of the State.

Multicultural NSW is to establish regional advisory councils for regional areas of the State.

The function of a regional advisory council is to advise Multicultural NSW on any matter relating to the functions of Multicultural NSW that the council considers appropriate or that Multicultural NSW refers to the council for advice.

A regional advisory council is to comprise representatives of relevant local or regional agencies, community organisations or individuals and a member of the Advisory Board (who is to be the chairperson of the council). The composition of a regional advisory council is to reflect the diversity of the local community concerned.

The procedure for the calling of meetings of a regional advisory council and for the conduct of business at those meetings is to be as determined by Multicultural NSW or (subject to any determination of Multicultural NSW) by the council.

Multicultural NSW may establish standing committees to assist it in connection with the exercise of any of its functions or special committees to consider and report on particular issues.

The procedure for the calling of meetings of a committee established under this section and for the conduct of business at those meetings is to be determined by Multicultural NSW or (subject to any determination by Multicultural NSW) by the committee.

The objectives of Multicultural NSW are as follows—

to promote the equal rights and responsibilities of citizenship,

to promote the unity, and strong commitment to Australia, of all people in a cohesive and harmonious multicultural society,

to promote the participation of the people of New South Wales in community life and the public decision-making process so that they can exercise their rights and fulfil their obligations,

to promote access to government and community services that is equitable and that has regard to the linguistic, religious and ancestral diversity of the people of New South Wales,

to promote a cohesive and harmonious multicultural society with mutual respect for and understanding of cultural diversity, including by combating racism,

to promote the enrichment of all sections of society through the benefits of cultural diversity,

to promote the multicultural principles and the advantages of a multicultural society,

to promote social justice, community development and community initiatives for all the diverse communities in New South Wales.