Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Multicultural Victoria Act 2004 - SECT 4

PART 2 PRINCIPLES OF MULTICULTURALISM

Principles of multiculturalism

4. Principles of multiculturalism



(1) Parliament recognises that the people of Victoria are united in their
shared commitment to-

   (a)  a democratic framework governed by the rule of law; and

   (b)  Victoria and Australia and the people, interests and future of
        Victoria and Australia.

(2) Parliament further recognises that all Victorians come from diverse
cultural, religious, racial and linguistic backgrounds and values the richness
that such diversity brings to the Victorian community.

(3) Parliament supports the obligations of citizenship to which subsection (1)
refers and promotes the diversity to which subsection (2) refers by
recognising the following principles of multiculturalism-

   (a)  all individuals in Victoria are entitled to mutual respect and
        understanding regardless of their cultural, religious, racial and
        linguistic backgrounds;

   (b)  all individuals and institutions in Victoria should promote and
        preserve diversity and cultural heritage within the context of shared
        laws, values, aspirations and responsibilities;

   (c)  all individuals in Victoria (regardless of background) have shown that
        they can work together to build a positive and progressive future and
        this co-operation is to be encouraged so as to enhance Victoria as a
        great place in which to live, work, invest and raise a family;

   (d)  all individuals in Victoria are equally entitled to access
        opportunities and participate in and contribute to the social,
        cultural, economic and political life of this State;

   (e)  all individuals in Victoria have a responsibility to abide by the
        State's laws and respect the democratic processes under which those
        laws are made.