For over thirty years, New South Wales has been at the forefront in developing and providing appropriate programs and services to meet the needs of a multicultural society.

A significant stage in this service provision was reached when the Principles of Multiculturalism were established in legislation. Under the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000, it became the duty of the chief executive officers of NSW public authorities to ensure that these principles were implemented in the business of their agencies.

The main vehicle for implementing programs and services to address the Principles of Multiculturalism and to meet the needs of our culturally and linguistically diverse society is the Multicultural Policies and Services Program, which was previously known as the Ethnic Affairs Priorities Statement (EAPS) program.

Under this program, all NSW Government agencies are required to have a multicultural plan, and to report on it regularly either through their Annual Reports, or through the Annual Report of their Principal Department.

The lead agency for the Multicultural Policies and Services Program is the Community Relations Commission, which has the legislated responsibility to assist and assess agencies in their multicultural planning.

The Commission is also responsible, under the Community Relations Commission and Principles of Multiculturalism Act 2000, for assessing agency compliance with annual reporting obligations, and publishing a report on compliance in the annual Community Relations Report to Parliament.

(Signed)
Kristina Keneally MP
Premier