For over thirty years, New South Wales has been at the forefront in developing and delivering programs and services that are responsive to the demands of our multicultural society.

The Principles of Multiculturalism within the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000 (the Act) provide a clear policy statement about the importance of equitable and respectful NSW government service delivery to our diverse community, while underscoring the importance of our rule of law, public institutions, democratic framework and the English language as the foundational structure upon which all policy-making and service delivery should be based.

Under the Act, it is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of every NSW public authority to ensure that these principles are implemented throughout the business of their agencies. The Multicultural Policies and Services Program (MPSP), led by the Community Relations Commission (CRC), assists agencies to implement the Principles of Multiculturalism and to report on their public sector accountabilities in this area.

The MPSP requires all agencies to maintain a multicultural plan and report on it regularly either through their Annual Reports, or through the Annual Report of their Principal Department. Resources and advice are available through the CRC, to ensure that common outcomes are addressed across the whole public sector.

In addition, the Directors-General of all Departments are required to provide the CRC with more comprehensive information about the planning and implementation activities of key agencies within their administrative cluster. Key agencies are designated by the CRC, based on their higher levels of contact with the public, the significance of the services they deliver to our community, and/or their strategic value in meeting the multicultural objectives of the State. A list of current key agencies is attached.

The CRC assesses the MPSP reports of all key agencies on an annual cycle, and provides feedback to the relevant Director-General and chief executive(s). Within three months of receipt of that feedback, the Director-General must provide an account of the performance of every key agency within their Cluster to the relevant Minister(s).

Every year, the CRC is required to prepare a report on the effectiveness of public authorities in implementing the Principles of Multiculturalism, which the Minister for Citizenship and Communities must table in Parliament.

Barry O'Farrell MP
Premier

The following arrangements are proposed as lines of reporting for 2013.

Under this arrangement, the Principal Department will be responsible for ensuring that the nominated key agencies within the cluster develop a multicultural plan and progress implementation reports in accordance with the provisions of the MPSP.

The Department of Education and Communities collates a report for the following agencies:

• the Education divisions of the entire Department (including schools and TAFE)
• Office of Communities

The NSW Police Force collates a report for the whole agency.

The Department of Health collates a report for the following agencies:

• NSW Health Districts

The Department of Family and Community Services collates a report for the following agencies:

• Ageing, Disability and Home Care
• Community Services
• Housing NSW

The Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services collates a report for the whole Department.

The Department of Attorney General and Justice collates a report for the following agencies:

• Attorney General's Division
• Corrective Services
• Juvenile Justice

Legal Aid prepares a separate report as an independent authority.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet collates a report for the following agency:

• Division of Local Government

The Department of Finance and Services collates a report for the whole Department, with a special focus on the following agencies:

• Fair Trading
• Industrial Relations

Transport NSW collates a report for the whole agency with a special focus on Roads and Maritime Services (particularly the component that was formerly the Roads and Traffic Authority).

The Treasury does not have key agencies attached to it at the present time, but should maintain a supportive oversight of all agencies within that cluster implementing their legislated obligations under the MPSP.