Promoting harmony

The Victorian Government is committed to promoting harmony and creating a society free of racism and intolerance. There are many pieces of legislation in place, as well as initiaitives and projects that encourage all Victorians to embrace cultural diversity. Click on the links below to find out more.

Multicultural Victoria Act 2004

The Multicultural Victoria Act 2004 came into effect on 1 January 2005. The Act consolidates and expands on existing policy and legislative frameworks by enshrining some important principles of multiculturalism, strengthening the Victorian Multicultural Commission, and creating multicultural reporting requirements for government departments. Read about the Multicultural Victoria Act 2004.

Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001

The Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 was passed by the Victorian Parliament on 14 June 2001 and came into effect on 1 January 2002. In June 2006, the Act was amended following consultation with the multifaith community. Read about the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001.

Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006

The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities (the Charter) Act 2006 was passed in July 2006 and became fully operational on 1 January 2008. The Charter enshrines civil and political rights, and some cultural rights into Victorian law. Victoria is the first Australian state to enact formal protection of human rights by introducing a Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. The charter will ensure human rights are valued and protected within government and the community. Read about the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006

Reporting requirements

The Multicultural Victoria Act 2004 requires all Victorian Government departments to report annually on their achievements and initiatives in multicultural affairs, including their use of language services, multicultural communications and multicultural representation on government boards and committees. Read about the multicultural reporting requirements for Victorian Government departments

Making Multicultural Australia

Making Multicultural Australia is a website which aims to assist young people of upper primary and high school age, their parents, the teachers and the wider community explore our cultural diversity. It provides information on the contributions that different cultural groups have made to the development of Australian society and on the various views towards immigration and multiculturalism that have historically influenced government policies and programs and transformed the Australian population. Go to the Making Multicultural Australia website.

Victorian Human Rights Commission

The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission’s role is to:

Help to resolve individual and representative complaints about discrimination, sexual harassment and racial and religious vilification by offering a conciliation process that is confidential, impartial, free and simple

Provide education about equality of opportunity, racial and religious tolerance and human rights

Undertake projects and activities aimed at eliminating discrimination and racial and religious intolerance

Conduct research and provide legal and policy advice

Undertake specific functions in relation to the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, which include providing an independent assessment of how well State and local Government comply with the Charter and investigating particular human rights issues and concerns.
Go to the Victorian Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Commission website.

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