PM Transcripts

1, jJAUSTRAL1, A(
PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 1 1M1ARCH 1978
ETHNIC LIAISON OFFICERS
The Government is taking action to implement a scheme to provide
Ethnic Liaison Officers in Government Departments.
It is envisaged that senior officers from the present staff of
Departments will be appointed Ethnic Liaison Officers.
They will give special attention to all . policy, programme
and services delivery matters affecting'migrants, be directly
involved in inter-departmental consultations on ethnic matters;,
and provide assistance in discussions between their Department
and the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs.
The Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs, Mr MacKellar,
has been asked to arrange for his Department to consult ith the
Public Service Board in implementing and monitoring the scheme.
The Ethnic Affairs Branch of the Department will have a major role
in developing the Ethnic Liaison Officers' scheme including the
holding of seminars for the officers on migrant needs and cultural
differences and in establishing regular consultation and
coordination.
Ministers have been asked to arrange for their Departments to
cooperate in consultation with the Public Service Board in the
development of the scheme.
The Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs will provide
regular advice on the scheme. The scheme's overall effectiveness
will be the subject of a report from the Public Service Board
after the scheme has been in operation for 12 months.
An undertaking that Ethnic Liaison Officers would be appointed
to Departments was made in the Election Policy Speech of
21 November 1977.
The scheme reflects the Government's concern for the ethnic
communities and its obli gation to ensure that migrants enjoy
their full rights and benefits.