Submissions to government - Victoria's multicultural and multifaith communities

We respond to government inquiries on issues that affect Victoria's multicultural and multifaith communities.

One of the ways we advise government on issues affecting Victoria's culturally and linguistically diverse communities is by preparing submissions to Federal and State Government inquiries.

We consult widely with communities to gather the information and evidence we need to inform our submissions.

VMC Community Consultation Submission

Victorian Disability Inclusion Bill Exposure Draft

Date: October 2022

The Victorian Multicultural Commission welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Victorian Governments review of the Disability Act 2006, which includes the creation of a new Disability Inclusion Act. The new Disability Inclusion Act would sit alongside the Disability Act. The exposure draft of the Disability Inclusion Bill sets out ways that government and other entities can drive a contemporary and proactive approach to disability inclusion. This approach will support the vision of a barrier-free Victoria for all people with disability.

VMC Submission - Disability Inclusion Bill Exposure Draft - 31Oct2022
PDF 281.97 KB
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Australia's Humanitarian Program Discussion Paper 2022–23

Date: August 2022

The Victorian Multicultural Commission welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Australian Governments Department of Home Affairs 2022–23 Discussion Paper on our national Humanitarian Program. Our submission supports an increase of 27,000 places in the Humanitarian Program, supports efforts to enhance and increase the community refugee sponsorship models, advocates to resolve the legacy of TPV and SHEV visas through a transition to permanent residency, and affirms the importance of an adequately resourced settlement support system.

VMC Submission - Australia's Humanitarian Program Discussion Paper 2022-23
PDF 328.14 KB
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Inquiry into Economic Equity for Victorian Women

Date: August 2021

The Victorian Multicultural Commission welcomed the opportunity to make a submission to the Department of Treasury and Financial to address the critical issue of economic equity for Victorian women and highlight problems such as unequal pay and workplace barriers from the perspective of CALD women.

Submission - Inquiry into Economic Equity for Victorian Women
PDF 237.96 KB
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Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs on the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Consistent Waiting Periods for New Migrants) Bill 2021

Date: August 2021

The Victorian Multicultural Commission welcomed the opportunity to make a submission providing observations and concerns to the proposal to extend the Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period (NARWP) to four years across all payments.

VMC Submission - Social Services Legislation Amendment (Consistent Waiting Periods for New Migrants) Bill 2021
PDF 354.96 KB
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Response to the Department of Health Engagement Paper on a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act

Date: August 2021

The Victorian Multicultural Commission welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Department of Health’s Engagement Paper on a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Act.
The VMC addressed the key elements of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System that is, to ensure that the mental health and wellbeing system effectively embeds accessibility and responsiveness to the State’s diverse communities, including Victoria’s multicultural population.

VMC Submission - Mental Health Act
PDF 462.64 KB
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Senate Select Committee on Job Security

Date: April 2021

The Victorian Multicultural Commission welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Senate’s Select Committee on the impact of insecure or precarious employment on the economy, wages, social cohesion and workplace rights and conditions, with particular reference to:

  • the extent and nature of insecure or precarious employment in Australia;
  • the risks of insecure or precarious work exposed or exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis;
  • workplace and consumer trends and the associated impact on employment arrangements in sectors of the economy including the ‘gig’ and ‘on-demand’ economy;
  • the aspirations of Australians including income and housing security, and dignity in retirement;
  • the effectiveness, application and enforcement of existing laws, regulations, the industrial relations system and other relevant policies;
  • accident compensation schemes, payroll, federal and state and territory taxes;
  • the interaction of government agencies and procurement policies with insecure work and the ‘on-demand’ economy; and
  • any related matters.
VMC Submission - Select Committee on Job Security
PDF 509 KB
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Victoria's Youth Strategy

Date: January 2021

The Victorian Multicultural Commission was invited by the Office of Youth to make a submission to the Victorian Government’s Youth Strategy. The VMC’s submission is informed by community feedback collated through various community engagement platforms including consultations with young people from multicultural and multifaith backgrounds and through VMC’s Regional Advisory Councils.

The submission strongly advocates for a whole-of-government approach to multicultural affairs by prioritising cultural responsiveness and inclusiveness of its services to be embedded in appropriate supports and infrastructure available to youth. This is to ensure that young people from multicultural and faith communities have equal opportunity in accessing and thriving in an inclusive Victorian society.

Submission - Victoria's Youth Strategy
PDF 496.8 KB
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Submission - Victoria's Youth Strategy
Word 651.77 KB
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Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences

Date: January 2021

The Victorian Multicultural Commission was invited to respond to the Victorian Law Reform Commission’s inquiry into Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences.

This submission focuses on ensuring that Victoria’s diverse population and its legal needs are fully considered in the review on the basis of access to justice principles, such as equity, fairness and efficiency.

Warning: the submission may contain triggering or sensitive material on sexual harm

If you or someone you know needs to report a sexual offence or seek support, please contact:

  • Victoria Police - 000 for emergencies
  • Sexual Assault Crisis Line - 1800 806 292 (provides crisis response and confidential telephone counselling support for people experiencing/who have experienced sexual harm)
  • Department of Human Services Child Protection Crisis Line - 13 12 78
Submission - Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences
PDF 381.2 KB
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Submission - Improving the Response of the Justice System to Sexual Offences
Word 637.89 KB
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Coronavirus (COVID‐19) contact tracing system and testing regime

Date: November 2020

The Commission was invited to respond to the Inquiry into the Victorian government’s coronavirus (COVID‐19) contact tracing system and testing regime. The Victorian Multicultural Commission took an unprecedented and proactive approach in supporting Victoria’s multicultural communities since the pandemic’s impact commenced earlier in the year, particularly assisting residents and communities impacted by the North Melbourne and Flemington lockdown.

This submission collated information sourced during this engagement and other consultations.

Submission - Inquiry into COVID-19 contract tracing system and testing regime
PDF 827.6 KB
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Monitoring the Family Violence Reforms

Date: August 2020

The Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor was established following the Royal Commission into Family Violence and independently monitors and reviews the Victorian Government and its agencies in delivering the state-wide family violence reform.

The Commission provided a submission on

  • how the family violence service system, and multicultural communities experience of it, has changed since the Royal Commission
  • what is still required in the family violence reforms for multicultural communities
  • the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Supplementary submission — Monitoring the Family Violence Reforms
PDF 176.19 KB
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Response to COVID-19 pandemic

Date: June 2020

The global COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on us all affecting our health, livelihoods, job and financial security, as well as mental health and wellbeing.

As the pandemic unfolded, the Commission conducted extensive consultations with our multicultural and faith communities.

Submission — Inquiry into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
PDF 307.69 KB
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Anti-vilification

Date: January 2020

Communities are genuinely concerned about the prevalence and rise of vilification and the Victorian Multicultural Commission welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the Victorian Parliament inquiry into current anti-vilification laws.

We supported recommendations to:

  • expand protected attributes to support more people and communities, in particular, people with disability and the LGBTIQ+ community
  • address and respond to online hate
  • improve data collection on incidents of vilification and hatred
  • improve support for victims of vilification/hatred
Submission - Inquiry into Anti-Vilification Protections
PDF 796.39 KB
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Supplementary submission to the inquiry into anti-vilification protections
PDF 159.77 KB
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Early childhood engagement

Date: December 2019

In consultations with multicultural communities, the Commission has learned that the main barriers to early childhood engagement are systemic. In this submission:

  • we outline these barriers to assist with overcoming them and to support service planning and delivery to multicultural children and their families
  • we also highlight existing programs and service models that address these barriers
Submission to the Inquiry into Early Childhood Engagement of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities
PDF 548.87 KB
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Visa simplification

Date: September 2017

The Victorian Multicultural Commission:

  • supported the proposal to review and simplify the Australian visa system
  • rejected the proposal that a prospective migrant should spend a period of time in Australia before becoming eligible for permanent residence
VMC Submission: Transforming Australia's Visa System
PDF 266.31 KB
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Aged care

Date: August 2017

The Victorian Multicultural Commission advocates for increased care-at-home services to support older Australians. To support the specific needs of culturally diverse communities, we recommended:

  • more funding for interpreting and translation services
  • support for diverse Australians and their families to navigate the aged care system
  • cultural awareness training for aged care workers and volunteers
  • an independent audit and complaints process
Submission to the Australia Government Department of Health Discussion Paper, Future Reform - An Integrated Care at Home Program to Support Older Australians
PDF 307.21 KB
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Strengthening the test for citizenship

Date: June 2017

The Victorian Multicultural Commission did not support the proposed citizenship test reforms. It said the proposed changes could have damaging effects on the most vulnerable members of our community.

Submission to the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection Discussion Paper, Strengthening the Test for Australian Citizenship
PDF 499.7 KB
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Strengthening multiculturalism

Date: May 2017

The Victorian Multicultural Commission reiterated the Council for Europe's view that ‘respect for minorities is a fundamental measure of a country’s "moral progress" and the positive nature of multicultural policy that engenders and supports such respect, founded on a philosophy of human rights and civil rights liberalism.’

VMC submission to the Select Committee on strengthening multiculturalism
PDF 326.25 KB
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Human rights protections

Date: April 2017

Our submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade focused on:

  • the limited protection for the human right to freedom of religion or belief under Australia’s domestic law
  • the balance between religious freedom and the right to equality and non-discrimination
VMC submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade regarding their Inquiry into the status of the human right to religion or belief
PDF 241.62 KB
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Fairer Safer Housing

The Victorian Multicultural Commission provided submissions to 3 of the 6 issues papers that were particularly pertinent to the housing needs of Victoria's multicultural communities.

Date: February 2017

VMC submission to the Residential Tenancies Act Review Options Discussion Paper: Heading for home
PDF 301.12 KB
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Date: May 2016

VMC submission to the Residential Tenancies Act Review Issues Paper: Rights and Responsibilities for Landlords and Tenants
PDF 220.27 KB
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Date: April 2016

VMC submission to the Residential Tenancies Act Review Issues Paper: Rent, bonds and other charges
PDF 261.96 KB
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Migrant settlement outcomes

Date: January 2017

This was a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration Inquiry into Migrant Settlement Outcomes. We provided evidence from our community consultation and regional advisory council addressing areas where the Australian Government could improve settlement outcomes.

VMC submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration Inquiry into Migrant Settlement Outcomes
PDF 295.86 KB
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Freedom of speech

Date: December 2016

The Victorian Multicultural Commission opposed attempts to weaken sections 18C or 18D of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) (the Act).

Submission to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights in relation to the committee’s inquiry into freedom of speech in Australia
PDF 218.17 KB
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Victoria's 30-year infrastructure strategy

Date: November 2016

The Victorian Multicultural Commission supported recommendations to:

  • increase densities in established areas
  • manage network demands through a comprehensive transport pricing regime
  • invest in social and affordable housing
VMC Submission to Victoria's 30-Year Infrastructure Strategy
PDF 198.82 KB
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Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

Date: October 2016

The Victorian Multicultural Commission advocated for the value of restorative justice programs in supporting victims and survivors to seek criminal justice responses in some circumstances.

VMC submission to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
PDF 573.49 KB
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Access to Justice Review

Date: March 2016

This submission:

  • focussed on the unmet legal needs of multicultural communities, who face considerable barriers to getting help with their legal problems
  • sought to ensure that the communities' legal needs were considered in the review
  • advocated for civil dispute resolution to be brought within the reach of all Victorians, including migrants, humanitarian refugees and asylum seekers
VMC submission to the Access to Justice Review
PDF 394.3 KB
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10-year Mental Health Plan

Date: December 2015

This submission advocated for equitable access to safe, responsive treatment and support for the mental wellbeing of multicultural communities - in particular, humanitarian entrants and asylum seekers.

VMC submission to the Victorian Government on the 10-year Mental Health Plan
PDF 803.85 KB
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Early childhood

Date: October 2015

This submission sought to ensure

  • full consideration of the needs of children from multicultural and non-English-speaking backgrounds
  • support for parents and guardians who are recent migrants, humanitarian entrants and asylum seekers
VMC submission to the Education State Early Childhood Consultation 2015
PDF 361.19 KB
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Royal Commission into Family Violence

Date: June 2015

This submission:

  • highlighted the family violence experiences of women and children from multicultural communities in Victoria
  • identified barriers to protection and support that affect them disproportionately, including disclosing family violence and accessing culturally-responsive support services
VMC submission to the Victorian Government Royal Commission into Family Violence
PDF 361.73 KB
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