tasmanian multicultural policy review many voices: tascoss submission
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phone 03 6231 0755
fax 03 6223 6136
postal PO Box 1126
Sandy Bay
Tas 7006
www.tascoss.org.au
Submission to
Tasmanian Multicultural Policy Review Many Voices 10 July 2013
About TasCOSS
TasCOSS is the peak body for the Tasmanian community
services sector. Its membership comprises individuals and
organisations active in the provision of community services
to low-income, vulnerable and disadvantaged Tasmanians.
TasCOSS represents the interests of its members and their
clients to government, regulators, the media and the
public. Through our advocacy and policy development,
we draw attention to the causes of poverty and
disadvantage and promote the adoption of effective
solutions to address these issues.
Authorised by
Tony Reidy, Chief Executive
For inquiries
Wynne Russell, Policy and Research
Officer, [email protected]
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TasCOSS Multicultural Policy Review
TasCOSS Insert Report title here
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Tasmanian Multicultural Policy Review.
TasCOSS commends the Tasmanian Government’s commitment to promoting and
supporting the development of the state as a diverse and multicultural society through a
commitment to equality of opportunity and access for all Tasmanians.
As TasCOSS has already participated in discussions around the development of the Many
Voices discussion paper, our comments at this stage will be relatively brief and focus on the
principles on which the Policy is based.
Equality of outcomes
TasCOSS strongly supports the Multicultural Policy’s commitment to equality of access to
services, as articulated in Principle 2 of the existing Policy. However, we argue equally
strongly that access is only one half of the equation, and that equality of outcomes must
receive equal commitment. As a consequence, we would suggest rewording Principle 2 to
read “Fair access to and equal outcomes from Tasmanian and local Government services.”
We also note that ‘services’ should be defined in the Policy as encompassing not only
human services, but also spatial planning, since (for instance) migrant communities may
have distinct ideas about where they would like to see public space located, or how they
would like to see public space organised (provision of different types of sports grounds, for
instance).
For the Government to be able to monitor and evaluate its success in implementing this
principle, all Tasmanian government services should collect data on where clients were born,
and monitor and evaluate the impact of policies and programs for culturally and
linguistically diverse communities. We note that at least two possible mechanisms exist for
such monitoring and evaluation: use studies and equality impact assessments.
Use studies can give an idea of who is NOT using a service or a space, which in turn
can lead to surveys asking “What is it about the design of this that prevents you from
using it?”
Equality impact assessments can ask:
o Is there any evidence of higher or lower participation or uptake by different
groups?
o Do different groups have different needs, experiences, issues and priorities in
relation to the issue at hand?
o Have consultations with relevant groups, organisations or individuals brought
to light particular areas where policies could help overcome problems?
o Have consultations with relevant groups, organisations or individuals indicated
that particular policies create problems that are specific to them?1
In the policy or program formulation stage, social impact assessments can examine the
socioeconomic impact, including by cultural or linguistic background, of proposed policies
and projects, as well as of private-sector initiatives such as development applications. Social
impact assessments need to take a full cost-benefit approach including both best- and
worst-case scenarios and extending across all social groups, avoiding a bias towards best-
case scenarios and benefits for the already advantaged.
1 Royal Town Planning Institute (2007), RTPI Good Practice Note 7,
http://www.rtpi.org.uk/download/3322/GPN7.pdf
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TasCOSS Multicultural Policy Review
TasCOSS Insert Report title here
Universal responsibility
TasCOSS believes that for all Tasmanian Government departments to fully embrace the
principles behind the Multicultural Policy, it is necessary to make it clear that addressing
diversity is everyone’s responsibility, not simply that of (for example) the Department of
Health and Human Services. While this point may not need to be articulated as a separate
principle, it needs to be clearly specified at all relevant points in the document, including
(but not limited to) in Principle 2.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Many Voices discussion paper. We
appreciate being included in these consultations, and are happy to provide any additional
information required.