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| Multicultural Council of Tasmania | |
|---|---|
| Name | Multicultural Council of Tasmania |
| Formation | 1991 |
| Type | Non-profit organisation |
| Headquarters | Hobart, Tasmania |
| Region served | Tasmania |
| Leader title | Chair |
Multicultural Council of Tasmania is a Tasmanian peak body that represents culturally and linguistically diverse migrants, refugees and ethnic communities across the Australian state of Tasmania. The organisation acts as an umbrella council linking local community organisations, liaison groups and service providers with state institutions and national bodies. It engages with bodies such as the Australian Human Rights Commission, Department of Home Affairs (Australia), Multicultural Affairs Queensland, and sector peers including Settlement Council of Australia and Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia.
The organisation emerged in the early 1990s against a backdrop of national shifts following the Galbally Report reforms and the expansion of Australian immigration policy during the Keating Government era. It formed amid local initiatives influenced by events like the Mabo v Queensland (No 2) decision and national debates around multiculturalism during the Howard Government years. Early activities mirrored patterns established by bodies such as Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria and NSW Multicultural Advisory Council, responding to challenges faced by arrivals from regions affected by the Balkans conflict, Indochina refugee crisis, and later humanitarian movements from Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan. Over successive decades the council adapted to evolving frameworks set by the Australian Multicultural Council (2011–2014), the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 environment, and state-level policy instruments developed in partnership with the Tasmanian Government.
The council is governed by a board drawn from representatives of community organisations, diaspora groups, and nominated stakeholder entities, modelled on governance practices similar to those of community legal centres and regional peak bodies like Queensland Council of Social Service. Its constitution delineates membership categories comparable to those used by Victorian Multicultural Commission affiliates and prescribes annual general meetings in line with standards advocated by Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Leadership roles include a Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary and are complemented by working groups oriented toward service sectors mirrored in institutions such as Australian Red Cross (Tasmania), CatholicCare (Tasmania), and Anglicare Tasmania. The council adheres to compliance frameworks referencing the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and reporting norms familiar to recipients of grants from bodies like the Department of Social Services (Australia).
The council undertakes consultation, capacity-building, and coordination functions analogous to the remit of organisations such as Refugee Council of Australia and Settlement Services International. It convenes forums that bring together stakeholders from local government areas like Hobart, Launceston, and Devonport with representatives from peak agencies including Australian Bureau of Statistics (for census engagement) and health networks exemplified by Royal Hobart Hospital partnerships. Key activities include cultural competence training similar to modules used by National Ethnic Disability Alliance and coordination of responses to national inquiries such as those by the Joint Parliamentary Inquiry into Multiculturalism and mechanisms paralleling consultations run by Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Program delivery encompasses youth initiatives inspired by models like Youth Affairs Council of Tasmania, employment support reflecting approaches from Jobs and Skills Australia, and settlement assistance that mirrors services provided by Migrant Resource Centre (Victoria). The council runs language and translation liaison that complements services from TIS National and collaborates with education providers such as TasTAFE and the University of Tasmania for pathways into vocational and higher education. Health promotion and mental health outreach are conducted in partnership with organisations akin to Beyond Blue and Black Dog Institute, while eldercare liaison aligns with standards from Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia.
The council engages in policy advocacy addressing issues that intersect with national instruments like the Migration Act 1958 and state legislation administered by the Tasmanian Parliament. It provides submissions to inquiries led by bodies such as the Australian Human Rights Commission and collaborates with policy networks similar to Australian Policy Online. Advocacy priorities have included anti-racism campaigns resonant with work by Harmony Alliance and refugee protection advocacy paralleling the efforts of Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and Human Rights Law Centre. The council has petitioned for improved settlement funding models and for the inclusion of multicultural priorities in state strategic plans influenced by frameworks used by the Council of Australian Governments.
Partnerships span local multicultural associations and national agencies, drawing on relationships comparable to those between Victorian Multicultural Commission affiliates and federal departments. The council engages ethnic media outlets, community radio stations such as those affiliated with Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, and cultural festivals that emulate events like National Multicultural Festival (Canberra). Collaborative work includes joint initiatives with faith-based organisations such as Islamic Council of Australia, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia communities, and diaspora groups from countries represented through consular networks similar to those of Consulate-General of Italy in Melbourne and Consulate-General of Greece in Melbourne.
Funding is a mix of state grants, competitive federal funding streams akin to those administered by the Department of Home Affairs (Australia), philanthropic support reminiscent of grants from entities like the Myer Foundation, and fee-for-service contracts comparable to those held by other peak bodies. Financial management follows best practice guidelines promoted by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and auditing standards aligned with procedures used by organisations such as KPMG Australia and Grant Thornton Australia. The council publishes annual reports and strategic plans consistent with transparency practices adopted by peers including the Migrants Resource Centre network.
Category:Organisations based in Tasmania Category:Multiculturalism in Australia