PM Transcripts

A L AT
PRIME MINISTER
FOR MEDIA 2 December 1986
The Government has now determined the top structure of the new
office of Multicultural Affairs.
The position of Head of the office, and the two senior supporting
positions, are being advertised this week, and it is hoped
appointments will be made by early in the new year.
As I said in my statement on 18 November, the office will be
) basically an advisory and research body.
it will have a number of roles perhaps the primary one of which
will be to develop and maintain close liaison with ethnic
communities and provide a channel through which their needs and
concerns are brought to the Government's notice.
The office will conduct and sponsor research on policies,
programs and services which bear on'multiculturalism and the
needs and concerns of ethnic communities.
It will be providing advice to me, Mr Hurford and the Government
on those matters, and on any other proposals coming forward to
the Government which might have an impact on the development of
multiculturalism and policies, programs and services for ethnic
communities. it will have a co-ordinating and supporting role in information
programs for ethnic communities, and information programs
directed to the development of multiculturalism.
It will, of course, have a monitoring and policy development role
in this broad field, including access and equity issues.
It is particularly important that the office will be working in a
way which is fully integrated into internal Government
decision-making processes, so that its advice can be given at the
appropriate points of decision-making.
The filling of senior positions in the Office will represent the
first stage in its establishment.
Those persons chosen will be charged immediately with examination
of existing Government activity and the role formerly played by
the Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs ( AIMA), and
with conducting consultations vith the ethnic communities about
the structure and role of the office and of the Advisory Council
associated with it.
Decis ions on the detail will then be taken by the Government on
the basis of a considered report as early as possible in the new
year.