South Australian Consolidated Acts

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN MULTICULTURAL AND ETHNIC AFFAIRS COMMISSION ACT 1980 - SECT 12

12—Functions of Commission

        (1)         The primary functions of the Commission are—

            (a)         to increase awareness and understanding of the ethnic diversity of the South Australian community and the implications of that diversity; and

            (b)         to advise the Government and public authorities on, and assist them in, all matters relating to the advancement of multiculturalism and ethnic affairs.

        (2)         The Commission's functions include the following:

            (a)         to assist in the development of strategies designed to ensure that multicultural and language policies are incorporated as an integral part of wider social and economic development policies; and

            (b)         to work with public authorities to ensure that there is a co-ordinated approach to the advancement of multiculturalism and ethnic affairs; and

            (c)         to keep under review and advise the Government and public authorities on the extent to which services and facilities are available to and meet the needs of minority ethnic groups; and

            (d)         to assist public authorities to devise effective methods for the evaluation and reporting of policies and programmes for the advancement of multiculturalism and ethnic affairs; and

            (e)         to develop in conjunction with other public authorities immigration and settlement strategies designed to support and complement the State's economic development plans and to realise the potential and meet the needs of individual immigrants; and

            (f)         to advise, assist and promote co-operation between ethnic groups and organisations concerned in ethnic affairs; and

            (g)         to inform and consult with ethnic groups and other interested groups and organisations about the work of the Commission and issues relating to multiculturalism and ethnic affairs; and

            (h)         to provide or assist in the provision of interpreting, translation, information and other services and facilities for the benefit of ethnic groups and others; and

                  (i)         to publicise generally the work of the Commission.

        (3)         The Commission should, in carrying out its functions, act wherever possible with a view to encouraging participation by local government bodies and voluntary organisations.